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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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Copyright No. 


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 




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THE PROSPECTOR’S 
FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


BY YHK SAMB AUTHOR: 


A PRACTICAL MANUAL 

OF 

MINERALS, MINES AND MINING. 


Illustrated by 171 Engravings, Second Edition, Revised 
and Enlarged, 393 Pages, 8vo, Price $4.50. 


THE PROSPECTOR’S 


FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE 


IN THE 

SEARCH FOR AND THE EASY DETERMINATION OF 
ORES AND OTHER USEFUL MINERALS. 


/y 

Pkof. H. S. OSBORN, LL.I)., 

AUTHOR OF “ THE METALLURGY OF IRON AND STEEL,” “ A PRACTICAL MANUAL 
OF MINERALS, MINES, AND MINING.” 

^0 "-‘-USTRATED BY FIFTY-EIGHT ENGRAVINGS. 


THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED. 


It? O’- 


^ \ 
Ay' 


PHILADELPHIA; 

HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO., 


INDUSTRIAL PUBLISHERS, BOOKSELLERS AND IMPORTERS, 

810 WALNUT STREET. 

1897 . 






Copyright by 

HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO. 
1897. 




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Printed by the 

WICKERSHAM PRINTING COMPANA^ 
53 and 55 North Queen Street, 
Lancaster, Pa., U. S. A. 



PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 


The rapid sale of the second edition of The 
Prospector’s Field-Book and Guide, unmistak¬ 
ably indicating its growing acceptability and popu¬ 
larity among prospectors, has rendered necessary the 
preparation of this, the third edition. In doing 
this the book has been carefully revised throughout, 
and where it was considered desirable it has been 
enlarged—especially as regards Gold, Gems and 
Precious Stones, and the more common Useful 
Minerals, and in the Glossary ; these revisions and 
amplifications, as it is believed, adding greatly to 
the value and usefulness of the book. 

The work of revision has been committed to the 
same competent hands that so satisfactorily edited 
the second edition. As now presented to the pub¬ 
lic, it is believed to be a complete and thoroughly 
reliable guide and companion to the intelligent 
and enterprising searcher after ores and other use¬ 
ful minerals, including gems and gem-stones. The 

(V) 



Y1 


PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 


Publishers therefore confidently look for even a 
more rapid sale of this edition than of those which 
have preceded it. 


Philadelphia, July 1, 1897. 


IT. C. B. 


PUBLISHER’S PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 


The death of Dr. Osborn, two j^ears ago, renders 
it necessary that the Publisher should prepare the 
preface to this revised edition of The Peospector’s 
Field-Book and Guide. 

The fact of a second edition of this book having 
been called for so soon after the publication of the 
large first edition, justifies the belief that it has 
supplied a public requirement. The task of revis¬ 
ing the work has devolved upon thoroughly com¬ 
petent hands; and whilst it has been aimed, by the 
insertion of further information regarding the sub¬ 
jects treated in the original edition, to make it still 
more acceptable to those for whom it was prepared, 
a new chapter has also been added on Petroleum, 
Ozocerite, Asphalt and Peat, together with a Glos¬ 
sary of Terms used in prospecting, mining, miner- 
alogy, geology, etc. 

While the work of revision has been done with 
conscientious care, under the supervision of the 
Publisher, it can hardly be hoped that it has been 
so well done as if Dr. Osborn, with his profound 
knowledge of the subject treated, had been alive to 
direct it for himself, and in his own manner. 

(vii) 



viii publisher’s preface to second edition. 

Henry Stafford Osborn was born in Philadelphia, 
August 17, 1823, and died in New York City, Feb¬ 
ruary 2, 1894. He was graduated at the Univer¬ 
sity of Pennsylvania in 1841; went abroad in 1843 
or 1844; studied at Bonn, Germany, and at the 
Polytechnic Institution of London. Before the 
civil war he held the chair of Natural Science at 
Roanoke College, Va., and in 1866 accepted a pro¬ 
fessorship at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. Leav¬ 
ing Lafayette in 1870, he became, in 1871, Professor 
in Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. In 1865 he 
received from Lafayette College the degree of LL.D. 

In 1869 he published “ The Metallurgy of Iron 
and Steelin 1888, “ A Practical Manual of Min¬ 
erals, Mines and Miningin 1892, the first edition 
of The Prospector’s Field-Book and Guide, the 
success of all of which books has been pronounced. 

Personally, Dr. Osborn was charming, full of 
information on a wide range of subjects, which he 
had studied thoroughly; enthusiastic, amiable and 
just; and the relations of his publisher with him 
during a quarter of a century, will ever be among 
the brightest and best recollections of that pub¬ 
lisher’s long career in business. 

HENRY CAREY BAIRD. 

Philadelphia, January 15, 1896. 


PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 


In the following pages we have attempted to 
present such a view of the whole subject of pro¬ 
specting for the useful minerals that any liberally 
educated reader may fully comprehend our mean¬ 
ing. We have therefore explained special terms 
where we have thought it convenient to use them, 
and where the technically educated student would 
not need an explanation. 

It must be understood that the subjects of chem¬ 
istry, mineralogy, and metallurgy are introduced 
only for their practical bearing upon the ores in 
hand, or those sought for, and not for theory, or 
the philosophy. of the operation, much as such 
theory or philosophy would please and instruct. 
The prospector must, therefore, refer to larger works 
if he desire to be instructed in the principles gov¬ 
erning the sciences, the teachings of which we have 
frequently made use of 

We would suggest to any one intending to use 
this volume for practical work, to become ac¬ 
quainted with the whole book before attempting to 
use any special part alone. The object and con¬ 
struction have made it necessary to treat some 
(ix) 



X 


PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 


special topics without repeating principles and 
methods already given in some part of the work, 
but which bear some relation to the topic under 
immediate consideration. 

The Table of Contents and Index have both been 
carefully prepared, and being very full, will make 
reference to any subject in the volume easy and 
satisfactory. 

Oxford, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1892. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. 

PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 

PAGE 

Technical mineralogy, the first stndj^ of the jirospector; 
Guises of minerals; Colors and forms under which 

native metals may appear. 1 

Advantage of cultivating a knowledge of minerals by 

sight; Importance of cleavage and fracture. 2 

Definitions of various kinds of fracture; Importance of 

color, streak and hardness. .S 

Scale of hardness; ^Manner of trying the hardness of a 

mineral. 4 

What may be learned from the test of hardness; Lustre 
of minerals; Definitions of the various kinds of lustre. 5 
Weight and form of minerals; Example of the j)ractical 
importance of a knowledge of technical mineralogy . 6 

Definition of technical mineralogy; Importance of a 
knowledge of the characteristics of the rocks associ¬ 
ated with minerals . 7 

Desirability of a general knowledge of the manner in 
which’ the geologic rocks are laid down; Signs by 
which the name of the sedimentary rock may be de¬ 
termined; Horizons of the rocks. 8 

Movements of the earth’s crust illustrated by a section 
showing contorted strata due to lateral pressure; Prac¬ 
tical geology. 9 

Horizons sterile in ores; Horizons in the United States 
which abound in the useful minerals; Classification of 

rocks; Definition of rocks. 10 

(xi) 











Xll 


CONSENTS. 


PAGE 

Reasons for differences in the geologic horizons; Table 
showing the relations of certain rocks one to another. 11 

Igneous rocks. 12 

Metamorphic rocks; The aqueous rocks. 13 

Sandstone, illustrated and described; Shale, illustrated 

and described; Granite. 14 

Granite with black mica and feldspar crystals with 
quartz as chief base, illustrated and described .... 15 

Definitions of lodes, beds and layers, irregular deposits 

and surface deposits. 16 

Hints in looking for deposits where superficial deposits 

are known to occur. 17 

Mode of occurrence of gold in Australia and in Califor¬ 
nia; Mode of occurrence of other minerals; Points to 
be observed in examining a lode; Table showing the 

association of ore in metalliferous veins. 18 

The blow-pipe; Requirements for blow-pipe practice . . 19 

Manner of preparing dry carbonate of soda; Borax and 

other supplies; Mode of using the blow-pipe. 20 

Colors of a candle flame, described and illustrated; Oxi¬ 
dizing and reducing flames and their management; 

Definition of the assay. 22 

Roasting; Illustration and practice in showing the char¬ 
acteristic power of the oxidizing and reducing flames. 23 
How to make a blow-pipe; Principal means of chem¬ 
ically testing minerals before the blow-pipe; Blow¬ 
pipe experiments; Recognition of the presence of 

metals by the color imparted to fused borax. 25 

Table of color indications; Mode of testing with car¬ 
bonate of soda on charcoal. 27 

Observations and inferences from the above test .... 28 

Test for sulphur and arsenic, and other substances ... 29 

CHAPTER II. 

CRYSTALLOGRAPHY. 

The composition of minerals indicated by their forms; 
Systems of crystalline forms; The isometric system; 

The cube illustrated and described. 30 













CONTENTS. 


Xlll 


PAGE 

Variations of the cube. 31 

The octahedron and dodecaliedron illustrated and de¬ 
scribed; The tetragonal system; The prism illustrated 

and described. 32 

The zircon illustrated and described; The hexagonal 

system illustrated and described. 33 

Forms of the hexagonal system; Calcite hexagonal 
crystals—three-sided terminations, illustrated; The 

orthorhombic system illustrated. 34 

The monoclinic system, illustrated. 35 

The triclinic or thrice-inclined system; Illustrations of 

the different systems of crystallization. 36 

Distinctions between the turquois, lazulite, and lapis 

lazuli. 37 

The topaz and its crystallization; Meteoric iron .... 38 

Ruby and sapphire; Serious mistake of a Paris firm of 

jewelers. 39 

Locality of gems. 40 


CHAPTER III. 


SURVEYING. 

To measure heights which are inaccessible, illustrated . 41 

To measure areas, illustrated by examples. 43 

To measure an inaccessible line, illustrated by examples. 45 
The prism compass and its use. 48 


CHAPTER IV. 


ANALYSES OF ORES—WET METHOD. 

Preliminary examinations; Detection of sulphur, arsenic 
and silenium; Determination of native gold or silver; 

Indication of copper. 50 

Detection of antimony and tin; Determination of man¬ 
ganese, alumina, magnesia, lime, zinc, cobalt and 

nickel, and uranium. 51 

Determination of titanium and mercury; Detection of 
carbonates; Examination of sandstones. 52 
















XIV 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Qualitative analysis of ores; The dry method of analysis; 

Directions for the wet method of analysis. 53 

Indications of silver, lead or mercmy, in the assay ... 55 

Apparatus for making hydrogen sulphide, illustrated 
and described; Manner of cutting off the bottom of a 

bottle. 56 

The filtrate; What the precipitate may contain .... 58 

Treatment of the precipitate; Precipitation of chromium 
oxide; Blow-pipe test for chromium; Precipitation of 

alumina; Definition of excess. 59 

Precipitation of manganese, cobalt and nickel. 61 

Establishment of the presence of mercury oxide and 

lead sulphate. 62 

Indications of bismuth and cadmium; Indications of 
copper, sulphur and gold; Detection of platinum and 

arsenic. 63 

Indications of antimony and tin. 64 

Dry assay of ores; Crucibles; Scorifiers; The cupel; The 
muffle; An assay furnace, illustrated and described . . 65 

Brasquing; Method of obtaining the amount of iron in 

an ore. 66 

Scales, weighing, etc.; Pulverization for the dry method. 67 

Testing gold and silver ores; Cupellation. 68 

Separation of the gold and silv'er by the wet process; 

Flux for melting the ore in a crucible. 69 

Testing of lead ore, galena; Testing of cop})er ore, tin 
ore, mercury ore, and antimony ore. 70 

CHAPTER V. 

SPECIAL MTNERALOGV—GOLD. 

Importance of studying minerals from actual specimens; 

Distribution of gold. 72 

Occurrence of gold in sea water; Where the chief sup¬ 
plies of gold are at the present time obtained from; 
Principal mode of occurrence of gold; Composition of 

native gold .. 73 

Mexican rhodium gold; Black gold; Bismuth-gold; To 
detect a content of native gold in pyrites; Crystalliza- 













CONTENTS. 


XV 


PAGE 

tion of gold; Gold crystals illustrated; Gold dust, il¬ 
lustrated; Large lump of gold found at Forest Creek, 

Victoria, Australia, illustrated. 74 

Physical properties of gold; Variations in the color of 

gold. 75 

Action of gold under the blow-pipe and towards acids . 76 

The batea illustrated and described; The cradle or 

rocker, illustrated and described. 77 

The long tom, illustrated and described. 79 

Sluices and their construction; Hydraulic mining, de¬ 
scribed and illustrated. 80 

Lode prospecting. 82 

Directions for making an amalgamating assay. 83 

Construction of a retort. 84 

Calculating the amount of gold per ton which an ordi¬ 
nary battery might be expected to save; Extraction of 

gold by means of cyanide of potassium. 85 

Other forms and conditions of gold; Placer gold .... 86 

Gold amalgam; Discovery and extraction of gold; 

Where is gold found ? Original position of gold ... 87 

Gold in granitic regions illustrated by section showing 
the two conditions under which gold is usually found 
in rock and drift; Significance of an iron-stone 

“blowout’’. 88 

Peculiar and seemingly irregular deposits of gold ... 89 

Origin of metamorphic rocks. 90 

Igneous rocks and their composition; Composition of 
metamorphic granite; Where the most paying gold is 

to be found. 91 

Gold in combination; To separate gold in metallic 

sulphides, for instance, iron pyrites. 92 

Mode of making fuming nitric acid. 93 

Another method of detecting and separating the 

gold. 94 

What constitutes profitable gold working. 96 

Method of separating gold which gives very accurate 

results. 97 

In review with additional remarks. 98 

Wliere the prospector may expect to find gold. 99 





















XVI 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Phillips’ rule for ascertaining the amount of gold in a 
lump of auriferous quartz.100 

CHAPTER VI. 

PLATINUM, ETC.—SILVER. 

Occurrence and properties of platinum; Platinum in the 
United States; Chief source of supply of platinum . . 102 
Consumption of platinum in the United States; Deriva¬ 
tion of the word platinum; Sperrylite and its occur¬ 
rence .103 

How to distinguish platinum; Chemical test for plati¬ 
num; Separation of platinum from gold and other 

metals. 104 

Preparation of stannous chloride; Iridium; Osmium . . 105 
Palladium; Silver, its occurrence and properties; Mis- 
pickel; Distinguishing of native silver before the 

blow-pipe; Chemical test of silver.106 

Derivation of most of the silver of commerce.107 

Other forms in which silver is found; Silver sulphides, 
silver glance or argentite; Horn silver or cerargyrite . 108 

Brittle silver, or stephanite.109 

Red silver ore, or ruby silver; Pyrargyrite; Bromic 
silver or bromyrite; Geology of silver ores illustrated 
by sections across the Comstock Lode and surround¬ 
ing strata, east and west, and north and south, and 


showing the mines and the surface.110 

Xon-metallic substances of the Comstock Lode.Ill 

Extent and value of the Comstock Lode.? . . 113 

Occurrence of silver ores at the Eureka Mines; Peculi¬ 
arity of the limestone overlying the Eureka Mines . . 115 
Geology of the Ruby Hill Mines; The Emma Mine; 
Geologic conditions in which silver ores are found . . 116 


CHAPTER VII. 

COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 

Copper, its occurrence and properties; Manner of testing 
minerals containing copper.118 












CONTENTS. 


XVll 


PAGE 

Red copper ore, ruby copper or cuprite; Copper glance, 

vitreous copper or chalcocite.119 

Gray copper or tetrahedite; Copper pyrites or chalco- 

pyrite.120 

Silicate of copper or chrysocolla; Black oxide of copper; 
Malachite or green carbonate of copper; Blue carbon¬ 
ate of copper or azurite.121 

Variegated copper pyrites, bornite, or erubiscite .... 122 
Geology of copper illustrated by section of the copper 
bed at the Dolly Hide Mine, Maryland, section of 
strata in Lake Superior copper region, and section of 

the Eagle vein. Lake Superior.123 

Facts for the detection of copper.124 

To obtain the per cent, of copper in an ore.125 

Precautions to be observed in the assay of copper .... 127 

CHAPTER VIII. 

LEAD AND TIN. 

Lead, its occurrence and properties; Order of strata in 
the lead district of Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa; Test 

for silver in galena.129 

Geology and form of lodes of the galena ores illustrated 
by lead lode in micaceous shale in mine near Middle- 
town, Conn.; Galena and its associated minerals; Car¬ 
bonate of lead or cerussite, illustrated by section of 

strata in California Gulch, Colorado.130 

Sulphate of lead or anglesite; Phosphate of lead or pyro- 

morphite; Chromate of lead or crocoite.132 

Lead ochre, or massicot; Geology of lead, illustrated by 
section of galena limestone; Galena limestones. . . . 133 

Circulation of water in lead veins.134 

Deposit of lead in a Assure in the limestone, illustrated 

by a section.135 

Tin; Detection of tin in a tin-bearing mineral; Assay of 
tin ore; Tin veins; Usual ore of tin; Oxide of tin ... 136 
Cassiterite; Wood tin; Toad’s eye tin; Stream tin; Dis¬ 
covery of tin in Banca and Billiton.137 

Associations in Wyoming and Dakota tin mines; Tin 













XVlll 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 


pyrites (sulphide of tin); Bell metal; Form in which 

the tin ores of South Dakota are found.138 

Hearney Peak Mines; Gold in tin veins; Presence of 
tin in the granites; Phosphate minerals in the Etta 

Mine.1^9 

Geological position of tin ores; Wolframite, its proper¬ 
ties and detection.140 

Brown garnet of the Hearney Mines; Home of the tin 

deposits; Form of granite in Dakota.141 

Cassiterite of the Black Hills; Discovery of tin ore on 
the western slope of the Blue Ridge.142 


CHAPTER IX. 


ZINC—IKON. 

Zinc and its chief ores; Zinc carbonate or Smithsonite; 

Zinc silicate or calamine.143 

Red oxide of zinc, or zincite; Sulphide of zinc, sphaler¬ 
ite, or blende; Geology of zinc, illustrated by section 

of strata near Sparta, N. .1., zinc mines.144 

Deposits of sulphide of zinc in Colorado and Montana; 
Report by Mr. E. H. Saltiel on a group of zinc mines 

in Colorado.145 

Blow-pipe tests for zinc; Iron ; Native iron ; Magnetite. 146 

Franklinite; Specular ore or red hematite.147 

Geologic horizons around the iron ores of Lake Superior, 
illustrated; Brown iron ore, or brown hematite, or 

limonite.148 

Spathic iron ore, or siderite.149 

Black band ore; Chromic iron ore or chromite; Iron 
ores not used for the making of iron and steel; Iron 

pyrites.150 

Arsenical pyrites or mispickel; Geology of iron ores . . 151 

Section of Pilot Knob, Missouri.152 

The use of the magnetic needle in prospecting for iron; 

Mr. W. H. Scranton’s summary of the indications 
from the magnetic needle in searching for ore .... 153 
Method of using the compass in searching for ore . . . 155 














CONTENTS. 


XIX 


PAGE 

CHAPTER X. 

MEECURY, BISMUTH, NICKEB, COBALT AND CADMIUM. 

Mercury or quicksilver; Native mercury; Cinnabar or 

sulphide of mercury; Native amalgam.157 

Occurrence of cinnabar in California; Bismuth, its oc¬ 
currence and geology .158 

Nickel and its manipulation under the blow-pipe; 
Smaltite; Nickel arsenide, copper nickel, or nicolite. 159 

Emerald nickel; Millerite.IGO 

Nickel in Sudbury, Canada; Foleyrite; Whartonite . . 161 
Jack’s tin or blueite; Analysis of ores for nickel and co¬ 
balt; Preparation of the assay; Separation of lead . . 162 

To separate the copper.163 

Ajiparatus for reducing the oxides to the metallic condi¬ 
tion by ignition under a stream of hydrogen ..... 166 

Separation of nickel and cobalt.168 

Analysis of ores for pyrrhotite; Discoveries of nickel ore 
in NeM^ Caledonia; Garnierite; Mines at the Gap, Lan¬ 
caster C/O., Penna . 170 

Cobalt; Smaltite; Cobaltite.171 

Erythrite; Linnaeite; Earthy cobalt or cobalt wad . . 172 
Tin-white cobalt; Cadmium; Greenockite.173 

CHAPTER XI. 

ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, AND OTHER 
IMINERALS. 

Aluminium; The most valuable kaolins; Corundum . . 174 
Emery; Sapphire; Oriental rubj^; Oriental topaz; Ori¬ 
ental emerald; Oriental amethj^st; Asterias; Cryolite. 175 

Bauxite.176 

Deposits of bauxite in Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas; 

Clays at Gay Head, ^Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.177 

Antimony; Stibnite, its properties and geology; Manga¬ 
nese; Classes of manganese ores; Wad.178 

Pyrolusite; Psilomelane.179 

Manganese carbonate or rhodochrosite ; Geological posi¬ 
tion of manganese.180 














XX 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Other useful minerals; Alum; Apatite, phosphate of 

lime.181 

Arsenic; Native arsenic; Realgar; Orpiment.182 

Asbestos; Barytes or barium sulphate, or heavy spar . . 183 
Borax; Coal (mineral); Anthracite (glance coal, stone 

coal).184 

Bituminous coal; Cannel coal; Brown coal (lignite); 

Jet; Dolomite; Feldspar, orthoclase.185 

Fluorspar, fluorite; Graphite, plumbago, black lead . . 186 

Mode of testing the purity of graphite.187 

Gypsum ; Alabaster; Selenite ; Satin spar ; Plaster of 

Paris ; Lithographic limestone.188 

Mica ; Molybdenum.189 

Nitre or saltpetre ; Rock salt.190 

Slate; Sulphur; Talc or soapstone; Steatite.191 

CHAPTER XII. 

PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, A.SPHALT, PEAT. 

Occurrence of crude petroleum; Outfit and time for 

prospecting.192 

Examination of the iridescent film on the surface of 

water; Indications of an outcrop of oil.193 

Tracing the source of the oil; The water test; Fresh 
fracture of oil-bearing sandstone; Determination of 

the nature of oil-bearing sandstone.194 

Color of traces of oil upon the surface of water in cooler 
weather; Iridescent fllnis in swampy puddles .... 195 
Salses (mud volcanoes) and exhalations of natural gas 
as an indication of petroleum; Occurrence of oil in 

deflnite geological horizons.196 

Occurrence of oil in beds or in veins; Tracing a thick 
seam or stratum of oil-bearing sandstone ; Outcrops in 

a large mass of sandstone.197 

Data to be marked in the sketch map when promising 

outcrops of oil have been found, illustrated.198 

Vein-like occurrence of oil, illustrated and described . . 199 
Occurrence of oil in a maze of smaller and larger fissures. 200 
Quality of the oil; Ozocerite and its occurrence; Ozo¬ 
cerite deposit in East Galicia, illustrated and described. 201 
















CONTENTS. 


XXI 


PAGE 

Mineral resins allied to ozocerite; Retinite.202 

Elaterite or elastic bitumen ; Pyropissite ; Properties of 

ozocerite; Native asphalt or bitumen.203 

Most remarkable deposits of asphalt; Asphalt in Cali¬ 
fornia and other portions of the United States .... 204 
Peat.205 

CHAPTER XIII. 

GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 

Occurrence of gems and precious stones in the United 
States ; General unfamiliarity with the appearance of 
gem stones in their native state; Diamonds; Occur¬ 
rence of diamonds in India.206 

Occurrence of diamonds in Borneo, Brazil and South 

Africa.207 

The diamond-bearing ground at the Kimberley Mine, 
South Africa; Occurrence of diamonds in the Ural, 
Australia, New Zealand, and the United States . . . 208 
Localities where diamonds have been found in the 
United States; Natural surface of the diamond; 

Color of the diamond ; Black diamond.209 

Specific gravity and power of refraction of the dia¬ 
mond; Points on which the value of the diamond is 
dependent; Larger diamonds, illustrated; The Koh- 
i-noor ; The Orloff; The Grand Duke of Tuscany or 

Florentine ; The Pitt or Regent.210 

Sapphires and Rubies; Oriental Topaz ; Oriental emer¬ 
ald ; Oriental amethyst.211 

Asterias; Corundum; Emery; Principal localities of 

sapphires in the United States ; Spinel.212 

Balas ruby; Chlorospinel; Rubicelle; Almandine ruby; 

Pleonast; Topaz.213 

Beryl or emerald; Phenacite; Zircon.214 

Garnet.215 

Garnets found in New Mexico and Southern Colorado; 

Tourmaline.216 

Epidote; Opal; Precious opal; Fire opal; Harlequin 
opal; Milk opal.217 















XXll 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Resin opal or wax opal; Jasper opal; Wood opal; Tur- 


quois; Agate.218 

Eye agates; Moss agate; Chalcedony; Carnelian and 

Sard; Jasper.219 

Bloodstone; Rock crystal; Lake George diamonds; 
Amethyst; Onyx or Sardonyx; List of gem-stones 
compiled by Mr. George F. Kimz.• . . 220 


List of gem-stones known to occur in the United States. 221 
List of species and varieties found in the United States, 
but not met with in gem form; List of species and 
varieties not yet identified in any form in the United 
States; List of gem-stones occurring only in the 


United States.222 

Table of characteristics of gems.223 


APPENDIX. 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, SPECIFIC GRAVITY, BORING, 
CHEMICAL ELEMENTS, GLOSSARY, ETC. 

Basis of British weights and measures; English length. 227 
Particular measures of length; Surface measure; Surface 


measure in feet; Solid measure: Weight; Troj^v eight. 228 
Avoirdupois weight; AVeights by specific gravit 3 ^ . . . 229 
Specific gravity, how to find; Special AA'eights, etc. . . 231 

French measures—length; Surface.232 

Solid measure; Weight; Specific gravity^ of metals, ores, 
rocks, etc.; Ores associated with gold and silver . . . 233 

Other ores; Minerals of common occurrence.234 

Average in cubic feet of a ton weight of various mater¬ 
ials; Power for mills.• . . 235 

Boring; Diamond drill.236 

The chemical elements, their symbols, equivalents and 

specific gravities.237 

To find the proportional parts by weight of the elements 
of anj^ substance, whose chemical formula is known; 

Common names of chemical substances.239 

Prosiiectors’ pointers.241 

Glossary of terms used in connection vdth prospecting, 

mining, mineralog.y, geology, etc.243 

Index. 263 
















thp: 


PROSPECTOR’S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


CHAPTER T. 

PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 

In preparation for skillful work, the prospector 
should become thoroughly acquainted with the 
forms under which useful minerals and metals ap¬ 
pear. 

This should be his very first study. It may he 
called the study of technical mineralogy. 

He should be able to detect all the guises, as they 
may be called, which usually present themselves. 

Some metals are found native and in some degree 
of purity, as in the cases of gold, silver, copper, 
mercury, and platinum, and when so found are 
readily determined at once by any one who is at all 
acquainted with those metals as they occur in gen¬ 
eral use. But frequently native metals appear 
under such colors, and even forms, that the dis¬ 
coverer must possess more knowledge than any one 
usually possesses who has seen the metal in the arts 
only. Gold, as an illustration, is frequently found 
( 1 ) 



2 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


ill various shades of yellow, in accordance with the 
amount of silver or copper it may contain, and yet 
to the practiced eye of a true mineralogist it never 
loses the true gold hue. 

Iron pyrites, which is composed of sulphur and 
iron, and called ‘‘pyrite,” mineralogically, lias a 
color somewhat similar to that of gold, and so also 
has a mineral called chalcopyrite,” or copper 
pyrites, which contains copper, iron and sulphur. 
These, with others, vary in the yellow shade and 
degrees of color, hut by the jiracticed eye are in¬ 
stantly detected. Of course the brittleness of these 
minerals is unlike the softness of native gold, and 
this would instantly reveal the fact that they were 
not gold ; but we are now speaking of the practiced 
eye alone, and therefore of the benefit of cultivating 
a knowledge by sight of minerals. The mode in 
which a mineral breaks when smartly struck with 
a hammer, or pressed with the ])oint of a knife, is a 
chaTacter of importance. Many minerals can only 
he broken in certain directions, for instance, a 
crystal of calc spar can only he split parallel to the 
faces of a rhombohedron; many crystals break 
more leadily in one direction than in others. 
Whenever a mineral breaks with a smooth, flat, even 
surface, it is said to exhibit cleavage. Cleavage always 
depends upon the crystalline form. But minerals 
often break in irregular directions, having no con¬ 
nection whatever with the crystalline form, and this 
kind of breaking is called fracture. The nature of 
the surface given by fracture is often a character of 


PREPAKATOKY INSTRUCTION. 


3 


importance, especially in distinguishing the varieties 
of a mineral species. Thus quartz and many min¬ 
eral species show a shell-like fracture-surface which 
is called conchoidal, or if less distinct, small-con- 
choidal or sub-conchoidal. More commonly the 
fracture is simply said to be uneven, when the sur¬ 
face is rough and irregular. Occasionally it is 
hackly, like a piece of fractured iron. Earthy and 
splintery are other terms sometimes used and readily 
understood. _ 

The color and appearance of the line or furrow on 
the surface of a mineral, when scratched or rubbed, 
is called the streak, which is best obtained by means 
of a hard-tempered knife or a file. The color of a 
mineral and its streak may correspond, or the min¬ 
eral and its streak may possess different colors, or 
the mineral may be colored, while its streak is 
colorless. For instance, cinnabar has both a red 
color and a red streak ; specular iron has a black 
color, but a red streak ; sapphire has a blue color, 
but a white colorless streak. The streak of most 
minerals is dull and pulverulent, but a few exhibit 
a shining streak like that formed on scratching a 
piece of lead or copper. This kind of streak is dis¬ 
tinguished by the name of metallic. In judging the 
streak of a mineral, much weathered pieces should 
be rejected. 

Hardness is another character of great importance 
in distinguishing minerals; it is the quality of re¬ 
sisting abrasion. The diamond is the hardest sub¬ 
stance known, as it will scratch all others. Talc is 


4 


rROSPECTOR’s FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


one of the softest minerals. Otlier minerals possess 
intermediate degrees of hardness. To express how 
hard any mineral is, it becomes necessary to com¬ 
pare it witli some known standard. Ten standards 
of different degrees have been chosen, and are given 
in order in the following scale : 

1. Talc, easily scratched by the finger-nail. 

2. Gypsum, does not easily yield to the finger¬ 
nail, nor will it scratch a copper coin. 

3. Calcite, scratches a copper coin, but is also 
scratched by a copper coin. 

4. Fluorite, is not scratched by a copper coin, and 
does not scratch glass. 

5. Apatite, scratches glass with difficulty; is 
readily scratched by a knife. 

6. Feldspar, scratches glass with ease; is difficult 
to scratch by a knife. 

7. Quartz, cannot be scratched by a knife, and 
readily scratches glass. 

8. Topaz, ] ^ 

r. ^ 7 y harder than flint or quartz. 

9. Corundum , j ^ 

10. Diamond, scratches any substance. 

If on drawing a knife across a mineral it is im¬ 
pressed as easily as calcite, its hardness is said to be 
3. If a mineral scratches quartz, but is itself 
scratched by topaz, its hardness is between 7 and 8. 

In trying the hardness of a mineral, a sound por¬ 
tion of the mineral should be chosen and a sharp 
angle used in trying to scratch. A streak of dust 
on scratching one mineral with another may come 
from the waste of either, and it cannot be deter- 


I’K EP A K ATOP T INSTRUCTION. 


5 


mined which is the softer until after wiping off tlie 
dust and examining with a lens. 

By the test of hardness, clear distinctions may be 
drawn between minerals which resemble each other. 
Iron pyrites and copper pyrites, for instance, are 
similar in appearance; but copper pyrites can easil}^ 
be scratched with a knife, while iron pyrites is 
nearly as hard as quartz and the knife makes no 
impression upon it. 

Lustre. Some minerals have a brilliant lustre like 
that of metals ; in others the lustre resembles that 
of glass, or silk, or resin^ or wax, while others are 
dull or destitute of lustre. The kinds of lustre dis¬ 
tinguished are as follows : 

Metallic: tlie lustre of a metallic surface as of 
steel, lead, tin, copper, gold, etc. 

Vitreous, or glassy lustre: that of a })iece of 
broken glass. This is the lustre of most quartz and 
of a large part of non-metallic minerals. 

Adamantine. This is the lustre of the diamond. 
It is the brilliant, almost oily, lustre shown by 
some very hard minerals, as diamond, corundum, 
etc. When sub-metallic it is termed metallic ada¬ 
mantine, as seen in some varieties of white lead ore 
or cerussite. 

Resinous or waxy: the lustre of a })iece of rosin, 
as that of zinc blende, some opal, etc. Near this, 
but quite distinct, is the greasy lustre, shown by 
some specimens of milky quartz. 

Pearly or the lustre of motlier-of-pearl. This is 
common where a mineral has very perfect cleavage. 
Examples, talc, native magnesia, stilbite, etc, 


6 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Silky, like silk. This is the result of fibrous 
structure, as the variety of calcite (or of gypsum) 
called satin spar, also of most asbestus. 

What has previously been said of color may also 
be said of weight and form. A lump of j)yrite in 
the hands of a skillful mineralogist would be dis¬ 
tinguished from gold by its weight, since a mass of 
gold of the same size would weigh at least three 
times as much. Three crystalline pieces, the one 
of barite, the other two of lime carbonate and of 
quartz, may to the unskillful eye a])pear equally 
transparent; but the form of the first is tabular, that 
of the latter two is in six-sided crystals, but the lime 
carbonate crystals terminate in three sides, while 
the quartz always (like the sides) in six. 

These distinctions may appear to be oidy scien¬ 
tific abstractions, but they are sometimes of seriously 
great practical importance. A large amount of iron 
ore in Jefferson Co., New York, was condemned as 
being covered with (piartz from the fact that the 
minute crystals which appeared had six sides; but 
the author by means of his pocket lens noticed that 
none of the terminations were six-sided, and there¬ 
fore that they could not be quartz, which renders 
iron ore injurious to the furnace. They were 
crystals of lime, which is no detriment, but rather a 
benefit to iron ore. This simple discovery restored 
several thousand tons of ore to the market. At 
another time the author was shown a nearly trans¬ 
parent specimen taken by the finder to be a piece 
of calcite found the same day on an island in Lake 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


7 


Erie; but calcite, in crystalline shape and transpar¬ 
ent, takes a rhoinboidal form, and this appeared as 
though several tablets had been joined together at 
the edges. It was tabular in form, which form is 
never taken by lime (calcite), then on handling the 
specimen its weight, together with its form, showed 
that it was barite, or barium sulphate. A visit to 
the island led to the discovery of many tons. It 
is now a very valuable mine. 

We have presented these illustrations to show that 
a knowledge of technical mineralogy is of the first 
importance to the prospector. By technical miner¬ 
alogy we mean only that amount of mineralogical 
knowledge which will be needed to recognize val¬ 
uable minerals and metals, and to trace them to 
their hiding-places, and this amount of mineralogi¬ 
cal skill can be most thoroughly acquired, although, 
of course, it forms but a small part of the whole 
subject of mineralogy as a science. 

Besides a knowledge of the forms under which the 
minerals we seek present themselves, it is also neces¬ 
sary to learn the characteristics of some of the rocks 
which are generally associated with those minerals. 
The object of this knowledge is to serve in directing 
us to those regions where we may with greater 
probability discover the minerals we seek. It also 
serves to warn us out of a region where we should 
not expect to find what we desire. 

To illustrate, we may not expect to find iron ores 
of a certain kind, brown hematites for instance, in 
a granitic country. On the other hand we may 


8 


]»rospector’s fip:ld-book and guide. 


find the magnetic ores in such a region, and it is 
useless to ex})lore a granitic region for black band 
iron ore, although it may he the })ro})er region to 
discover red hematite. 

It is, therefore, important tliat the })rospector 
should he able to distinguish many of the geologic 
rocks to help in guiding or in checking him, in his 
explorations. 

A general knowledge, therefore, of the manner in 
which the geologic rocks are “ laid down,” their 
order, or succession, in the earth, is important, and 
the distinction between sedimentary and that which 
has l)een, and is usually called “ igneous rock,” but 
more properly ‘‘ azoic rock,” that is, rock which 
does not exhibit any remains of fossil or organic 
life. For often the only signs by which we can, 
with any degree of certainty, determine wliat is the 
name of the sedimentary rock is by finding the re¬ 
mains of former life, that is, the kind of fossil it 
contains. Prof. Dana says (Tlie Amer. Journal of 
Science, Xov. and Dec., 1890) that it is settled that 
the kind of rock in itself considei*ed is not a safe 
criterion of geological age. 

If all tlie rocks in the world had been laid down 
in regularly liorizontal secpience and liad always re¬ 
mained in their own separate horizons,” as every 
rock of tlie same age is called, not only should we 
find them all jiarallel, one over the other, hut we 
might readily determine to some extent what were 
the exact order and distance of any one horizon, or 
geological age. P)ut, although there is a general 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


9 


order, the same in all parts of the world, there have 
been upheavals and sinkings, dislocations and 
erosions, during the ages, so that it is necessary 
that the prospector slionld become acquainted with 
the various changes probable in the order and forms 
of the vast rocks which carry the minerals for which 
he is seeking. 

Kiu. 1. 



Section showing contohted strata oce to lateral pressure, aa, “ anti¬ 
clinal axes; v, the “synclinal axis.” The direction of the arrows, ee, ee, is 
that of “the .strike.” That of the arrows dd, is that of “the dip” of the 
strata, always measured from the horizon ; gg, are the out-crops. 

Some of these movements of the earth’s crust are 
represented in Fig. 1. 

J^KACTICAL GEOLOGY. 

We repeat that it is of considerable importance 
that the prospector should liave at least some general 
knowledge of those geological horizons with which 
his work is specially associated. As we have inti- 




















10 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


mated, useful minerals do not always confine them¬ 
selves to one horizon ; but there are certain ranges 
of rock which indicate their vicinity. There are 
also limits which are never overpassed by some use¬ 
ful minerals, and experience has shown that some 
horizons are always sterile in ores, and it is there¬ 
fore useless ever to expect to find them in paying 
(piantities, in certain rocks or beyond them in cer¬ 
tain directions. 

Gold often occurs where it will not pay to open 
and work the strata, so also with lead and copper. 
It is well to learn the relations of such barren 
regions, or horizons, as the strata are called. 

In the following table we have given chief place 
to those horizons which have been found in our 
own country to abound in the useful minerals, and 
we advise the possession of small specimens of the 
j)rincipal rocks mentioned and the special examina¬ 
tion of the specimens under a good lens, so as to be¬ 
come thoroughly acquainted with their appearance 
and their minute parts of composition. 

All rock may be classified as— 

1. Igneous. 

2. Metamorphic. 

3. Aqueous. 

S})eaking geologically, not only the hard consoli¬ 
dated massive and stony substances are called 
‘‘ rocks,” but auy natural deposits of stony material 
such as sand, earth, or clay, when in natural beds, 
are*geological rocks. Yery few of the rocks of this 
earth, at any rate so far as examined, are in their 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


11 


original and primal condition. Even the granites 
and volcanic rocks are composed of other and more 
ancient material disintegrated, ground up, or worn 
down, settled, buried, and compressed by ages of 
enormous pressure, or consolidated by cementation. 
Some have been “ laid down ” under water, having 
been disintegrated into dust carried by the winds of 
ages out over the oceans and seas, and settled down 
into the form of the present rocks, which afterward 
have been lifted up into mountains and plains 
above the seas. But by the transporting power of 
rivers or currents in ancient oceans, and because of 
unequal upheaval of some regions where subter¬ 
ranean forces were greater than at distant places, 
very large differences in the nature of the deposit 
have occurred, even in limited regions. These 
special and limited forces will account for the fact 
that although, taking the geological horizons 
throughout the world, there is a general sameness, 
differences do occur, and important members of the 
order of succession are omitted in some regions, and 
exceptions to general rules occur. 

We give, therefore, in the table following, those 
universally accepted relations of certain rocks, one 
to another, in the great geologic arrangement of the 
world, omitting some of the subsidiary limited and 
unimportant horizons. 


12 


prosppxtor’s field-book and guide. 


1. IGNEOUS ROCKS are sucli as have been sub¬ 
jected to sufficient heat to melt the ingredi¬ 
ents. Of these rocks— 

Volcanic rocks are those whicli have been cooled 
near or at the surface, as lavas, etc. 

Trachyte; a gravish rock of rough fracture; the 
same specific gi’avity as quartz, but mainly 
constituted of grains of glassy feldspar. It 
is essentially a unisilicate of alumina, with 
10 to 15 per cent, potash, a little soda and 
lime; differs from (puirtz in tliat it fuses 
before the blow-pipe, while (piartz remains 
unfused except when soda is used. 

Basalt; blackish or dark brown. T'aps, green¬ 
stone, dolerite, amydolite; these latter four are 
only modifications, being all unisilicates with 
smaller amounts of potash than in trachyte, 
a little more soda and lime, and some traces 
of iron and magnesia, varying in color and 
form. 

Obsidian is a glass, something like bottle glass, 
of a dark shade, and translucent. 


All these are compact in texture, except where 
some holes have been worn in by steam or gases. 
They are frequently found penetrating several strata, 
having been forced up in columns almost vertically, 
and sometimes sjireading out horizontally for many 
miles between the strata or on the surface, and are 
called volcanic dykes, or intrusive rocks, or lava. 
These and such-like are igneous rocks. 


STRxVTIFIED ROCKS. 



GENERAL DIVISIONS. 

SUBDIVISIONS. 

CHARACTERISTICS. 


RECENT, 

PLEISTOCENE, 

OR QUARTERNARY. 

All its shells and bones 
are of existing species. 


33 

H 

PLIOCENE. 

MIOCENE. 

EOCENE. 

About 50 per cent, of ex¬ 
isting species of shells. 

Contains 80 per cent, of 
extinct species. 

Contains fresh water and 
marine strata, animals all 
extinct. 

Tertiary rocks yield brick and other clays, gypsum, sand, phosphate of lime deposits such as 
are in Florida, South Carolina, and elsewhere. GOLD in the drift and alluvial, also PLATINUM 
(Iridium, see text), and TIN. 

Coal fields (brown or lignite) of this Period, occur in India, Indian Archipelago, Japan, New 
Zealand, Vancouver’s Island, and in Europe; also in California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, 
etc. The true coal (anthracite and bituminous) belongs to the Carboniferous only. 

A very hard lignite exists at Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard, in this formation. 


1 

1 

I CRETACEOUS. 

Upper. 

Middle. 

Lower. 

Upper Chalk Avith flints, but the LoAverl The Avhole formation contains sea-shells, sponges. 
Chalk Avithout flints. J sea-orchins etc. 

Contains Greensand in England and in Ncav Jersey, used as a marl and fertilizer. There is a 
supposed Cretaceous lignite in Alaska, Colorado, California, Utah, etc. 



Whealden. 

Consists of sand, clay, or marl, the sand used in glass making. 

, o 

“3 

JURASSIC. 

Portland Stone. 
Oxford Group. 
Stonestield Slate. 

Some English coal is found in the Oolite. Kimmeridge clay is found in upper Oolite ; the fine 
Bavarian lithographic stone in the middle Oolite. 

PS 

W. 

Lias 

Limestone in horizontal 
strata. 

Conspicuous for the number of ammonites and nautilus shells. Furnishes building and paving 
stone. 

m 

TRIASSIC. 

1 

Keuper. 

Muschelkalk. 

Bunter-sandstone. 

Called by the Germans TRIAS. 

Connecticut river sandstone Avith footprints. 

Red clays, marls, shales and sandstones. The New Red Sandstone of England. 

In Europe great salt beds. 


1 

PERMIAN. 

Dark red sandstone. 
Magnesian limestone. 
Conglomerates, Breccias, 
Marls in all three. 

Mostly sandstones and marlytes, some impure magnesian limestone and gypsum. Thin seams 
of coal, unworkable. With exception of BROWN HEMATITE iron ore and the metals mentioned 
above, all the other metals are found in the formations ))eloAV. 

d 

HH 

N 

o 

w 

2 

CARBONIFEROUS. 

Seams of Anthracite and 
bituminous coals of vary¬ 
ing thicknesses. 

Millstone grit. 
Subcarboniferous. 

The black band iron ore. Limestone from the same mines Avith the coal in Great Britain, but 
not so frequently in America. Anthracite, cannel, and bituminous coal in seams in limestone, 
sandstone, and shales, forming the “ The Coal Measures.” 

Affords PETROLEUM in Pennsvlvania, Ohio, and elscAvhere, and salines in Michigan. It is the 
MOUNTAIN LIMESTONE of England. Largely of corals. 

03 

o 

< 

DEVONIAN. 

Catskill Period. 
Chemung Period. 
Hamilton Period. 
Corniferous Period. 

Includes the OLD RED SANDSTONE OF ENGLAND. 

Hamilton black shales produce oil; the Hamilton beds afford excellent flagging stone. 
Corniferous called also Upper Helderberg group. 

S 

1—1 

Ph I 

Upper 

SILURIAN. 

LoAver 

Oriskany Sandstone. 
Lower Helderberg Period. 
Salina Period. 
Niagara Period. 

Salina Period supplies the salt Avaters of Salina and Syracuse, N. Y. 


Trenton Period. 
Canadian Period. 
Potsdam Sandstone. 

The LEAD MINES of lOAva and Wisconsin are in the Magnesian Limestone of the Canadian 
Period. 


Cambrian. 

Laurentian. 

ARCH^AN. 


(Between pasres 12 and 13.) 

































































* 


^ . • 




jtA. _ __ 


% 


Iff 



- »• • ' T • La. 


*4 




^ f V. 


.» ■ r«> »-^.i** 

* •%. 


• ^ 




•f 


A 


4 • 


‘ K 








1 Vi 



1 


PKEPAKATORY INSTRUCTION. 


13 


It is not certain that granite rocks are of igneous 
origin, but they seem to i)elong to the metamorphic 
series. 

2. METAMORPHIC; these are of igneous, sub¬ 

sequently to the time when they were of 
aqueous origin, and have undergone a change 
through pressure and heat, and, perhaps, in 
connection with steam or water. Of this 
class are the following : 

Gneiss, liaving a composition of small pieces of 
feldspar, mica, and quartz, like some granites, 
but laminated or foliated in form, and not 
equally solid, homogeneous, and continuous 
throughout its structure as granite is. 

Mica Schist. This term is given to those 
laminated rocks composed of mica and quartz 
in small particles, easily broken up, but 
more easily broken into tabular or leaf-like 
pieces, because the mica has been deposited 
in planes allowing of cleavage. 

3. THE AQUEOUS ROCKS are simple water 

rocks—that is, rocks composed of sediments 
from the dust or ground-up remains of other 
rocks. The presence of such sediments is 
due to the transporting power of rivers, 
floods, or currents, and also of winds and 
storms and other agencies, carrying the dust 
to the ocean waters where it was arrested and 
became a sediment. 


14 


prospector’s fieli>p>ook and guide 


Ill sandstone (Fig. 2), the grains of sand are 
rounded, having no sharp edges as in granite. 


Fig. 2. 



Sandstone. 


Where the sedimentary material was exceedingly 
dnst-like, it sometimes is laid down as tine mini and 
frequently in lamina, as in shale (Fig. 8). 


Fig. 3. 



Shale. 


GpkANITE is a term descriptive of rocks generally 
comjiosed of (piartz, felds})ar and mica, in grains 
(lienee the name) of a crystalline form. But the 
granites are not all alike in the amount of either of 



































PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


15 


the above-mentioned minerals, nor are they alike in 
color. Some granites contain no mica, as in graphic 
granite, only quartz and feldspar, and the quartz in 
the feldspar resembling written characters. Others 
containing hornblende as well as mica, or in the 
place of mica; the hornblende being in dark or 
black crystalline specks, pieces, or crystals, and con¬ 
sisting, essentially, of silica, magnesia, lime, and 
iron. This granite is called syenite granite. AVhere 
the feldspar is in distinct crystals in compact base. 

Fig. 4. 



Granite with black mica and feldspar crystals, with quartz as chief base. 

and sometimes lighter than the base, which is 
frequently reddish, purple, or dark green, it is a 
porphyritic granite. The granites are sometimes 
whitish, grayish, or flesh-red. They are considered 
as metamorphic and not igneous (Dana), although 
some authors still consider them to be igneous. 
They always present a crystalline grain in varying 
degrees of fineness and prominence. One form is 
given in Fig. 4, from a specimen in the author’s 
])Ossession. 

This sjiecimen contains two kinds of mica, one 
black, hiotite, the other white, of silvery appearance, 


16 


PKOSPKCTOk’s FIPr.D-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


muscovite. The biotite i)re8eiits in spots the ap¬ 
pearance of hornblende, and oidy tlie pen-knife 
point shows tlie scaly lamination of mica under 
the lens. It also contains crystalline forms of 
potash feldspar (orfJioclase), distinguishable from the 
<]uartz by their side oidy, by the lamellar fracture 
of its edges, and its peculiar vitreous glimmer, for 
l)ractically the hardness ap})ears the same, although 
feldspar is (6.6 and quartz 7) slightly softer. It 
would he well for the })rospector to gather many 
forms of granite and examine them under the lens 
until he becomes thoroughly used to the variations. 

The valuable minerals and inetal-liearing deposits 
of the earth occur as 

Lodes. By a lode or vein is generally meant a 
fissure in the rocky crust of the earth which is 
filled with mineral matter. In Australia a vein is 
called a reef and in (-.idifornia a ledge. 

Beds and layers. The most common of bedded 
deposits are those of coal. Many kinds of iron ore 
are found in beds, also some co})per ores in shale, 
silver and lead ore in sandstone, etc. Beds and 
layers are also known as strata, measures, sills, mines, 
bassets, delfs, girdles. 

Irregular deposits, such as pockets, etc., which lie 
sometimes in various formations. Contact deposits, 
net-work of veins, and where mineral is diffused 
through rocks, or in small cracks. 

Surface deposits. By surface deposits are under¬ 
stood the beds of alluvium wdiich more or less cover 
the face of every country. These beds have been 


PKEPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


17 


chiefly created by various mechanical agents, which, 
after having degraded the higher rocks, carry the 
material which has thus been formed down to lower 
levels. By this process of degradation most mineral 
deposits are so comminuted that by their exposure 
to the atmospliere they are decomposed and de¬ 
stroyed. However, sulistances like cassiterite, plat¬ 
inum, gold, etc., not being so readily subject to de¬ 
composition, have, in consequence, been more or less 
|)reserved and buried among these superficial de¬ 
posits. In observing de})Ositsof this kind notice has 
to be taken of their general situation, area, thickness 
and richness. Often several beds may be ranged 
one above the other, in which case their relative 
values have to he determined. In tracing any par¬ 
ticular deposit, as, for exam})le, whilst ascending a 
valley, if the particles of ore increase in size and 
number, the prospector may exi)ect that he is ap- 
})roaching their common origin. Anotluw indica¬ 
tion that he is near this point of origin will he that 
he shall find the mineral less worn. 

In looking for deposits of this kind where super¬ 
ficial deposits are known to occur, the prospector 
may be often guided, like the Tungusians in North¬ 
ern Siberia, who search for gold by first looking at the 
general contour of the country, and observing those 
places where any obstacles, like a projecting range 
of hills, would he likely to prevent material from 
being directly washed from higher to lower ground. 
Holes, sudden bends, or anything which would 
cause a diminution in the force of a current of water, 

9 


18 prospector’s fielr-book; and guide. 

are points at which it should be expected that heavy 
material like gold or platinum would he likely to 
collect. Although in Australia the most gold is 
generally found in pot holes and behind hard bars, 
it has often been found upon the shallow bends of 
ancient river courses. The lowest of a series of beds 
is generally the richest. In California the gold- 
bearing beds usually consist of gravels, which may 
be cemented to form a conglomerate, sands, hands 
of tuff, clay, fossil-wood, etc. 

INIagnetite occurs in alluvial deposits. Bog iron 
and manganese ore which have accumulated by 
precipitation in marshy places or in lakes usually 
contain too much impurity to he of commercial 
value. Stream tin occurs in gravels in much the 
same way as gold. 

In examining a lode the nature of the various 
minerals it contains and the proportions which 
these hold to each other should be observed. Some¬ 
times it will be noticed that certain groups of min¬ 
erals are often found together, the presence of one 
being favorable to the existence of the other. At 
other times the reverse will be remarked, the exist¬ 
ence of one mineral being the sign of the absence of 
another. The practical advantages to be derived 
from a series of observations indicating such results 
are too obvious to be overlooked. * 

The following table, showing the association of 
ore in metalliferous veins, is given by Phillips and 
Von Cotta: 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


19 


Tu)o Members. 


Galena, blende. 


Iron pyrites, chaleopy- 
rites. 


Gold, quartz. 


Three Members. 

I Galena, blende, iron 
pyrites (silver ores). 


Cobalt and nickel ores. 

Tin ore, wolfram. 

Gold, tellurium. 


Magnetite, chlorite. 


Four or More Members. 

( Galena, blende iron pyri- 
! tes, quartz and spathic 
j iron, diallogite, brown 
I spar, calc spar or heavy 
' spar. 

( Iron pyrites, chalcopyrite, 
I Iron pyrites, chalcopy- j galena, blende ; and 
■j rite, quartz (copper j spathic iron, diallogite, 
I ores). I brown spar, calc spar; 

or heavy spar, 
f Gold, quartz, iron pyrites, 
j galena, blende; and 
) spathic iron, diallogite, 

I brown .spar, calc spar; 
^ or heavy spar, 
j- Cobalt and nickel ores, 
iron pyrites; aiid galena, 
blende, quartz, spathic 
1 iron ore, diallogite, 

I brown spar; calc spar; 

' or heavy spar. 

/-Tin ore, wolfram, quartz, 
-< mica, tourmaline, topaz, 
t etc. 

Gold, tellurium, tetrahe- 
drite, quartz; and brown 
spar; or calc spar, 
f Cinnabar, tellurium, tetra- 
! hedrite, pyrites, quartz; 
■j and spathic iron, diallo- 
I gite, brown spar, calc 
I spar; or heavy spar. 
j Magnetite, chlorite, gar- 
■{ net, pyroxene, horn- 
I- blende, pyrites, etc. 


jGold, quartz, iron py- 
j rites. 


j Cobalt and nickel ores, 
and iron pyrites. 


jTin ore, wolfram, 
quartz. 

/ Gold, tellurium, tetra- 
hedrite (various tel- 
lurium ores). 


( Cinnabar, tetrahedrite, 
pyrites (various ores 
of quicksilver). 


J Magnetite, chlorite, 
1 garnet. 


The Blow-pipe. 

A great deal can be learnt respecting a mineral 
by a few simple trials with the blow-pipe, and every 
prospector should learn to use it. The only re¬ 
quirements are a plain brass blow-pipe about 7 to 
10 inches long, a candle, a forceps or pliers, a piece 
of })latinum wire, dried carbonate of soda, dried 


20 pkospectok’s field-book and guide. 


borax and cyanide of })otas8inin. Tlie charcoal 
selected for these ex])eriinents should he free from 
cracks and openings. By dry carl)onate of soda is 
meant not merely dry to the touch, but quite free 
from water; this may be ])repared from common 
washing-soda by expelling the water whicli it con¬ 
tains. Put the washing-soda in a shallow, clean 
iron dish, and place it over a clear fire until a white 
dry powder is formed; avoid too strong a heat, 
otherwise the diy powder might fuse. A (piarter of 
an ounce ]nay he kept in a well-corked bottle or 
tube for use. Bicarbonate of soda may lie used in¬ 
stead vrithont previous heating, or if the bicarbonate 
be moderately heated it loses weight, and becomes 
carbonate of soda, quite free from Avater, like the 
above. 

The borax is to be dried in the same way; a 
(jnarter of an ounce will lie enough. It is conven¬ 
ient to kee}) tlie jilatinnm Avire in tlie same tube. 
Unless these tubes are Avell corked, these chemicals 
reabsorb moisture. For testing tin ore it is nsefnl 
to have a little cyanide of [)otassinm kept in a bottle, 
A\dth the cork and rim Avell covered Avith melted 
beesAvax; it would otherAvise licpiefy by absorption 
of moisture and liecome useless. It is a most dan¬ 
gerous poison, and the greatest caution must he 
observed in its use. 

The bloAv-pipe should have a fine jet, or a})ertnre, 
AAude enough to admit of a hue needle. The mode 
of using it may he readily ac([nired by first breath¬ 
ing through the nostrils Avith the lips closed, tlien 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


21 


puffing out the checks (as if rinsing the mouth witli 
water), still keeping the lips closed, and breathing 
as before. The hlow-})ipe may at this point be 
slipped between the lips, and it will he found that 
a current of air escapes through it without any 
effort on the part of the operator. Air flows through 
the pipe owing to the tendency of the distended 
cheeks to collapse ; it must never he forced from the 
lungs. After a little practice the strength of the 
current may he increased. By breathing entirely 
through the nostrils, keeping the lips closed, the 
blast may he kei)t u}) for ten minutes or longer 
without exhaustion or inconvenience, except a slight 
fatigue of the lips in holding the hlow-pipe. The 
beginner may practice blowing upon a piece - of 
charcoal. The charcoal should, for convenience 
sake, be cut into slices of some six inches long by 
three-cpiarters to an inch wide and half inch thick. 
Place a piece of lead, or a pin-head, or fragment of 
pyrite (iron pyrites), near the end of the charcoal, 
and learn to blow the flame of a candle to a point 
upon the object. However awkward the blow-pipe 
may feel at first, practice will soon enable the 
learner to be expert. At first it may be necessary 
to gouge a small hole or recess in the coal with the 
point of your pen-knife, in order to prevent the 
specimen from being blown away. But after many 
trials such a command will be had over the blast 
that the hole may be made sufficiently deep by 
simply turning the point of the flame upon the coal 
and burning out a cavity. 


22 


prospp:ctor’s field-book and guide. 

Study the two colors of a sperm candle flame 
(Fig. 5). Notice that there is a yellow flame out¬ 
side and nearer the top, and then within the flame 
there may be seen a bluish, j)robahly a true blue 
dame. These flames act differently on the same 
substance. The outer 0 F, or yellow dame, is 


Fig. 5. 



A, the blue or reducing Hame; B, the oxidizing flame ; C\ the end of blow-pipe. 



By placing the end ot blow-pipe in the flame thus, the oxidizing flame, A, is 

made more efficient. 

called the oxidizing flame,’’ the inner the '' reducing 
flame,'’^ 11 F or IF. By blowing properly, these 
two dames may be made to turn horizontally, or 
eyen downwtird, and then either the O dame or the 
Pi dame may be turned on the assay ” (as the ob¬ 
ject on tlie charcoal may he called), (let a jiiece of 
iron ore as large as a pin-head and ])lace it in a 
little cayity on the charcoal, then coyer it with a 


















PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


23 


quantity of soda carbonate as large as the assay. 
Now turn the R flame down on the soda and ore, 
and in a few seconds the ore will melt and be re¬ 
duced to metallic iron, and your magnetized knife- 
blade will pick it and the soda up. In this experi¬ 
ment a piece of red or brown hematite, or a piece of 
pyrite (iron p 3 U’ites), should be used, as neither will 
be attracted by the knife-blade before the ore is re¬ 
duced to metallic iron. The reason for this action 
on the part of the ore is that the ore is metallic iron 
combined with oxygen, and the R or blue flame calls 
for more oxygen than it possesses, so that when it is 
turned upon the hot oxide of iron it takes the 
oxygen it calls for, from the ore and leaves the iron 
in a metallic state. But in the pyrite, which is iron 
and sulphur, the latter is partially driven off b}" 
either flame; and this process, on a larger scale, is 
called roastingR The soda absorbs a part of the 
sulphur and part remajns in the iron, but not so 
much but that the magnetized knife-blade will at¬ 
tract it. The last experiment is good for experi¬ 
mental practice, but not for illustrating the two 
properties of the flame. 

The following is an excellent illustration and 
practice in showing the characteristic power of either 
flame. Get some platinum wire of the size of a 
large horse-hair. Wrap it around a match, leaving 
an end extending an inch and a half beyond the 
match end, then roll the end of the wire around 
another match until you have bent the end of the 
Avire into a small loop (Fig. 6). Prepare a little 


24 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


powder of common borax, and then, heating the 
wire loop in tlie general flame, plunge it quickly 
into the powdered borax. It will immediately pick 
up a quantity of the powder, and then, by turning 
the flame upon the borax, you will have a clear and 

Fig. 6. 

A 

! 11/1/ t ) i n - ^ 

Appearance and size of wire and loop, A. 


perfectly transparent bead filling the little loop on 
the end of the wire. You are now ready for the ex¬ 
periment of illustrating the special properties of the 
two flames, which we shall now describe. 

Obtain some black oxide of manganese, from any 
druggist, and dropping a little upon a clean sheet 
of letter paper, heat your borax bead red-hot in the 
flame and quickly touch with the liot bead a par¬ 
ticle of the black oxide—it will stick to the bead— 
then turn the outer or 0 flame upon the bead and 
blow till the particle of oxide of manganese has en¬ 
tirely dissolved—it will inqiart to the bead a beauti¬ 
ful amethystine-})urple. Now turn the inner flame, 
that is, the R flame, upon the bead, and in a few 
seconds (according to skill in keeping the R flame 
steadily on the bead) tlie color will disappear, but it 
will return when tlie 0 flame is used again. 

These eflbrts will give practice, ending in sufti- 
cieiit skill to enable the learner to use the blow-pipe 
as directed in the future parts of this work. 




PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


25 


The various reactions of different substances are 
given in tlie body of this work as they are called for 
when the substances are described. 

A glass tube of a little less than three-eighths of an 
inch in diameter may be made into a blow-pipe as 
follows: Take a piece of such a tube, ten or twelve 
inches long, soften the tube by red heat in an alco¬ 
hol flame, and draw it out to a small diameter— 
cool and scratch or file it at the smallest diameter 
—break it off', introduce the tube into the flame 
again and bend the glass to a right angle, about 
two inches off from the point—cool gradually—and 
heat the mouth end, opening it a little by introduc¬ 
ing a small dry pine stick, cool it, and you have a 
very efficient blow-})ipe when another of metal can¬ 
not be had. 

Note: If your platinum loop will not hold the 
borax bead, then it is too large. Make a smaller 
loop. If it is dimmed or blackened by smoke, heat 
it red-hot—it will clear up. 

The three principal means of chemically testing 
minerals before the blow-pipe are (1) with borax; 
(2) on charcoal, usually with the addition of car¬ 
bonate of soda; (3) by holding in the oxidizing 
point. 

In connection with this the following experiments 
given by Alexander M. Thomson, D. Sc., are of in¬ 
terest : 

Experiment No. 1 .—^lany metals im})art a color 
to fused borax, by which their presence can be 
recognized. To try this experiment, a bead of 


26 prospector’s fip:ld-book and guide. 

fused borax must first be obtained on the platinum 
wire. The end of the wire is bent into a loop or 
ring about the twelfth part of an inch in diameter. 
The wire is then heated in the blow-pipe flame, and 
dipped whilst hot into the borax ; the portion of 
borax that adheres is then fused on to the wire in 
the blow-pipe flame, and the hot wire is again 
dipped; this is repeated until the loop contains a 
glass-like bead of borax. If the bead has become 
cloud}^, the soot causing this may be burnt off in 
the oxidizing point of the flame. Having thus ob¬ 
tained a clear, colorless, transparent bead, the next 
step is to add to it a minute portion of the mineral 
which is to be tested. By touching a little of the 
finely pulverized mineral with the borax bead, 
while softened by heat, enough Avill adhere to the 
bead for a first trial. The bead is then kept at a 
white heat in the oxidizing point of the flame for a 
few seconds, and on removal its color is noted, both 
wliilst hot and when cold. If no color is imparted, 
a fresh trial may be made with a larger quantity of 
the powder; but if the bead is opaque owing to the 
depth of color, as is often the case, a fresh experi¬ 
ment must be made, using a still smaller quantity 
of the powder. The color can only fairly be judged 
in a perfectly transparent bead. If no color can be 
obtained in the oxidizing point, further experiment 
with the borax bead is needless ; but if a color is ob¬ 
tained, it is then advisable to try the effect of the 
reducing flame upon the same bead. The following 
observations and inferences may result from this test; 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


27 


COUOR OF BEAD IN 


Oxidizing. Reducing. Presence of. 

Green (hot); Blue (cold) . Red.Copper. 

Blue (hot and cold).Blue.Cobalt. 

Amethyst.Colorless.Manganese. 

Green.Green.Chromium. 

Red or yellow (hot). . . 

Yellow or colorless (cold) . 

Violet (hot) ; Red-brown 

(cold).Gray and turbid, 

difficult to obtain . Nickel. 


Bottle-green 


Iron. 


This mode of testing may often be used to prove 
the presence of the above-mentioned metals. 

It rec[uires some practice before reliable results 
can be obtained in reducing. The reduced bead if 
brought out of the flame at a white heat, into the 
air, may at once oxidize ; but this may be prevented 
by placing it inside* the dark inner cone of an or¬ 
dinary candle flame, and allowing it to cool partially 
there. 

Experiment No. 2 .—The mode of testing with car¬ 
bonate of soda on charcoal, is performed as follows : 
A sound piece of charcoal half an inch square is 
chosen, and a neat cavity is scooped out on its 
surface, into which is placed a mixture containing 
the pulverized mineral to be tested, with three or 
four parts of carbonate of soda, the whole not ex¬ 
ceeding the bulk of a pea. After lightly pressing 
the mixture into the cavity, the blow-pipe flame 
may be cautiousl}^ applied to it; and afterwards 
when the mixture no longer shows a tendency to 
fly ofl‘ the charcoal may be advanced nearer to the 









28 pkospectok’s fii^ld-book and guide. 

blow-pipe, and finally be kept at as high a tempera¬ 
ture as possible, in the reducing part of the flame. 

In testing for tin ore, a piece of C 3 ^anide of potas¬ 
sium, about the size of a pea, may be placed upon 
the mixture after the first application of heat, and 
the further application of heat may then be con¬ 
tinued. 

This treatment is designed to extract metals from 
minerals; it favors in the highest degree the re¬ 
moval of ox}^gen. But like the borax test, it is 
limited in its application, as it can only be used to 
detect certain metals. The failure of the test in any 
case must not be looked upon as a conclusive proof 
of the absence of the particular metal sought; for 
instance, copper can be easil}^ extracted from car¬ 
bonate of copper by this test, but not from copper 
pyrites. Still the test is a most valuable and indis¬ 
pensable one to the mineralogist. The test is com¬ 
plete when the metal is obtained as a globule, in 
the cavity of the charcoal. In many cases the 
globule will be found surrounded by the oxide of 
the metal, forming an incrustation on the charcoal; 
and the color of such incrustation should be carefully 
noted, both at the moment of removal from the 
flame, and after cooling. By pressing the globule 
between smooth and hard surfaces, it can be deteu 
mined wliether the metal is flattened out (or malle¬ 
able), or crushed to pieces (brittle). 

The following observations and inferences may 
result from this test: 


PKKPARATOK Y INSTRUCTION. 


29 


Globule. luerustation. Premmse of. 

Yellow, malleable . None.Gold. 

White, malleable. . None.Silver. 

Ked, malleable . . .None. Copper. 

White, malleable. . White.Tin. 


White, malleable. . Red (hot) ; Yellow (cold) . . Lead. 

White, brittle . . . Red (hot) ; Yellow (cold). . Bismuth. 

None . . . Yellow (hot); White (cold) . Zinc. 

White, brittle, giv¬ 
ing off fumes when 
removed from the 

flame.White.Antimony. 

Experimeut JVo. 3. —In addition to these substances 

there are others wliicli occur abundantly in minerals, 
and which may be recognized by the blow-pipe witli 
the greatest ease ; for instance, sulphur and arsenic. 
These may be discovered Viy lieating a fragment of 
the mineral, sup})orted on a piece of cliarcoal or 
held in a forceps in the oxidizing point of the 
Hame, and comparing the odor which is given off; 
a smell of burning sulpiuir indicates that tlie mineral 
contains that substance, and wliite fumes liaving a 
garlic odor indicate the presence of arsenic. 

Mercury, antimony, and other substances may 
escape as fumes Avhen heated in tliis manner. 








CHAPTER IL 


CRYSTALLOGRAPHY. 

The forms which many minerals assume always 
indicate their composition. It is, therefore, some¬ 
times a great help to the prospector to become ac¬ 
quainted with the subject of crystallography so far 
as to enable him to determine the system or order 
to which a crystal belongs. 

We shall treat of the subject only so far as may 
be of practical application to the purposes of the 
prospector in the search for the useful minerals. 

It is necessary to understand that nearly all 
mineral substances, when they appear in the crys¬ 
talline condition, assume a characteristic form and 
do not trespass upon that of other minerals; al¬ 
though, to the unaided e 3 ^e and unskilled vision, 
this assertion may appear to be a mistake in some 
few cases; it appears so only because the differences 
are exceedingly small. 

All crystalline forms have been reduced to six 
systems. These are determined b}" the number, in¬ 
clination, and length of imaginary lines called 
axes, around which the crystal in its perfect form is, 
for each system, uniformly distributed. 

1. The Isometric s^^stem. The and simplest 
system is that of a perfect cube with six equal and 
(30) 


CRYSTALLOGKAPIIY. 


31 


square sides, as in Fig. 7. In this form lines drawn 
from the centre of each face to the face opposite, 
cross each other at right angles, and are of the same 
length. 

This system is called isometric, that is, iso equal, 
and metric measure, because these axes or lines are oi 
equal length and at right angles to each other. It 
must, however, be remembered that the cube is 
modified in some minerals, but wherever these modi¬ 
fications take place the original form of the cube 
may always be traced. Some of the changes may 
be very intricate, and these especially unusual or in¬ 
tricate forms we shall not notice. The usual forms 
only are of importance, and can be treated of in so 
small a work as this. 

The learner should take a potato arjd cut as per¬ 
fect a cube as possible, and make himself acquainted 
with the common variations which may belong to 
the cube, as we shall show, with¬ 
out changing the length of the 
axis, and always cutting so that 
the axis will always be the same or 
of equal lengths. 

Fig. 7 is the cube with the three 
axes A A', B B', C C'. If, with 
your knife, you slice off one edge 
angle from A to C' and from A to C, 
manner from A to B' and from A to 


Fig. 


B 


C. 


- ^ 


S' 


The Cube. 


and in like 
B, you will 

have a four-sided pyramid, the apex of which will 
be at A and the four-sided base at C B', C' B, or 
around' one-half the cube. Now, treat the opposite 







32 pkospectok’s fjp:li)-book and guidp:. 


side ill the same way and you will then have the 
following figure, which is the octahedron (Fig. 8). 

The dodecahedron (12 sides), Fig. 1), may be 
formed by taking ott‘ the solid angles A, B, B,' A'. 
In all three cases and many others, the three axes 
remain the same in lengtli and in their angular 
direction where the forms have not been distorted. 


Fio. K. 

A 



Fio. 


0 . 



The ll(xlecahe(lron. 


2. The tp:tragonal system is the second, and it 
has also three axes as in tlie isometric, and they are 
at right angles to each other, but the vertical axis 
is longer than the others, as in Fig. 10. 

The term tetragonal means “four-cornered or an¬ 
gled,” and is not precise, for a ciilie is tetragonal, 
but it is used to express this form because it is one 
word; otherwise “ si^uare prismatic ” would be a 
more correct description, since Fig. 10 is that of a 
jirism ; for in mineralogy any crystal having paral¬ 
lelograms for sides is called a prism. Cut this 
jirism as in the case of the cube, and you will have 
the form seen in Fig. 11. 

A^ariations upon this form may show a prism with 
four-sided termination at either or both ends, as in 





( RYSTALLOGRAPH V. 


33 


Fig. 12. This is the form of the transparent gem 
called the zircon, anciently called the jacinth. The 
zircon has been mistaken for the diamond, which it 
resembles in brilliancy and somewhat in hardness. 
But the diamond is isometric and never tetragonal, 


Fig. 10. Fig. 11. Fig. 12. 



Tetragonal Prism. Tetragonal Octahedron. The Zircon. 


and hence it may be distinguished readily from the 
zircon. 

3. The third system is the hexagonal (or six- 
sided), which differs from the tetragonal in that it 
has three etpial lateral axes instead of two; the 
vertical is at right angles (as in Fig. 13) with each 
of the three lateral. 

But it must be remembered that the hexagonal 
crystal always calls for hexagonal terminations; 
thus Figs. 14 and 15. 

Owing to various causes in nature, the hexagonal 
crystal may be found under various modifications 
of the hexagonal form, but it can always be reduced 
to this system. The symmetry of the crystals may 
be by sixes, or, very rarely, by cutting each angle 
it may be in twelves, or the sides may be unequal in 
*^3 














34 


PilOSrECTOR’s FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


area or leogtli, as in Fig. 14. The author once found 
a quartz crystal in Switzerland which was, for nearly 
its entire length, three-sided, but showed its hexa- 

Fig. 13. Fig. 14. Fig. 15. 

!> 

Hexagonal Prism. Quartz Crystals—Hexagonal. 

gonal nature only at the extremity, where, having 
been freed from its confinement in process of forma¬ 
tion, it had assumed its normal crystallization. As 
we have said in another place, calcite crystals some¬ 
times assume an hexagonal prism precisel}^ as does 
quartz, but the latter shows always six-sided termin¬ 
ations, whereas lime or calcite crystals, show three- 
sided terminations, as in Figs. IG and 17. There 
are two sections or forms of this system, the hexa¬ 
gonal and the rJiomhohedral; both belonging to the 
hexagonal s^^stem, and distinguished as we have 
shown. 

These calcite crystals belong to the rhombohedral 
section of the hexagonal system, showing rhombo¬ 
hedral forms at the end, as in Fig. 11. 

4. The fourth system is the orthorhombic sys¬ 
tem, in which the three axes are unequal and inter¬ 
sect at right angles as in Fig. 18, wherein the axes 
A, B, C, are all unequal in length, but at right 



















( RYSTALLOGKAPHY. 


35 


angles at the intersection. The terminations are 


Fig. 10. Fig. 17. 



Calcite hexagonal crystals—three-sided The same—end view, 

termination. Side view. 


flat, although frequently beveled on the surround¬ 
ing edges. 

5. The fifth system is the monoclinic. In this 
system two of the axial intersections are at right 
angles; but one is oblique, and the side of the 
crystal is inclined, as in Fig. 19. 


Fig. 18. 



Fig. 19. 



Crystals of feld.spar in general which contain 
potash (called orthoclase or potash feldspar), are 
monoclinic, but the soda feldspar crystals belong to 
















36 


J’KOSPECTOK 8 FIKLD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


the next or sixtli system, as do also tlie lime feld¬ 
spars. 

6. The sixth system is the tkk'LINIc ov'^ thrice 
inclined’^ system, wherein the three axes are all in¬ 
clined and unequal. The onl}' important feature 
in this system is that there is no right angle in any 
of its crystals; but it is of little use for our pur¬ 
poses, since, with the exception of the lime feldspar 
and soda-lime feldspars (anorthite or lime feldspar, 
labradorite or lime-soda feldspar, andesite, and oli- 
goclase, both soda-lime feldspars, and albite, a soda 
feldspar), all the rest are of little importance, ex¬ 
cept microcline, a new potash feldspar. 

As ILLUSTRATIONS OF THESE SYSTEMS tlie follow¬ 
ing may be stated : 

Of the isometric system, or first system, are gold, 
silver, platinum, amalgam, copper, the diamond, 
garnet, magnetite, pyrite, galena, alum, kalinite, all 
of which assume the cubic octahedral, or some allied 
form. 

Of the tetragonal, or second system, are the zir¬ 
con, chalco-pyrite, cassiterite (tin ore), titanic oxide, 
and others. 

Of the hexagonal, or third system, are beryl, 
aquamarine, the emerald, chrysoheryl, apatite (lime- 
phosphate), quartz. 

Of the orthorhombic, or fourth system, are, 
barite or sulphate of barytes, celestite, or sulphate 
of strontia, and carbonate of strontia, also cerussite 
or lead carbonate. 

Of the monoclinic, or fifth system, are, borax, 


C U YST A LLOdK A PH Y. 


87 


gypsum, glauber salt {mirahilite is its mineralogical 
name), copperas (or melanterite). 

Of the SIXTH system we liave already given suffi¬ 
cient illustrations. 

Of the GEMS not mentioned in the above, the tur- 
Quois owes its blue to cop})er, and is never crystal¬ 
lized, being in reniform or stalactitic conditions. It 
is a phospliate of alumina with water in composi¬ 
tion. This mineral or gem should be carefully 
distinguished from lazulite, which, though blue, 
crystallizes in the rnonoclimc, or fifth system ; it is a 
softer mineral and contains considerable magnesia, 
lime, and iron, of wliich (excejd a very small 
amount of iron), the true turquois contains none. 
The latter is the gem, and may be beautifully 
polished, and keeps its color, which is due to copper. 
Lazulite is found in beautiful crystals at Crowder’s 
Mount, in Lincoln (h., N. C.; also fifty miles nortli 
of Augusta, at (Iraves’s Mount, in Lincoln Co., 
Georgia. 

Both these should also be distinguished from 
lapis lazuli, which also crystallizes, but in the 
isometric or fii*st system, though commonly massive 
and compact. This is valuable in the arts, and 
when powdered forms the ultramarine, a rich and 
durable paint. It is a silicate of alumina, but con¬ 
tains some lime and iron. It is used also for costly 
vases. But the artificially prepared ultramarine is 
largely used in the arts. The native mineral is 
found in syenite and in metamorphic crystalline 
limestone, associated with pyrite and mica. 


38 prospe('tor’s field-book and guide. 


The TOPAZ crystallizes in the orthorhombic sec¬ 
tion of the hexagonal or fourth system. The finest 
are generally in prismatic form, showing a flat plane 
at the extreme end, even when the end of the 
crystal has several inclined faces. It is a silicate of 
alumina with fluorine. The fluorine may be de¬ 
tected before the blow-pipe in the open tube by 
})Owdering a little of the topaz and mixing it with a 
little microcosmic salt (a salt of phosphorus). The 
heat of the blow-pipe will let free the fluorine, and 
its strong pungent smell, and its corrosion of the 
tube, will pi'ove its presence. AVith the cobalt 
(nitrate) solution on charcoal, it gives a fine blue 
color in proof of alumina. This is the best test of 
the topaz, as the color of the mineral is not always 
the same, nor is it always perfectly transparent. It 
is found atCJrowder’s Mount, already spoken of, and 
also in Thomas’s Mountains, in Utah, near lat. 39° 
40' and long. I13J° AV. west of south of Salt Lake 
(Dana). In Trumbull, Uoiin., the crystals are 
abundant, but not very transparent. 

Meteoric Iron has been rej)orted as found native 
in a partial crystal of the isometric form from North 
(’arolina, and several meteoric masses from Arizona 
have been reported at the (Geological Section at 
AA'ashington, I). (A, September, 1891, as containing 
black diamonds, small but interesting. 

Meteorites are less pure than native iron, the iron 
in them being almost invariably associated with 
nickel, and they also contain traces of cobalt, cop¬ 
per and other metals, In the many specimens ex- 


CRYSTALUXiHAPIIY. 


39 


ainined, the iron ranges from 67 to 94 per cent., 
and the nickel from 6 to 24. Their masses gener¬ 
ally range from a few pounds in weight to a ton or 
more. If cut, and tlie surface is polished, and then 
acted upon by nitric acid, a kind of etching action 
goes on, the acid acting on spaces between bands of 
untouched metal wliich cross the mass in two or 
three directions, and in tliese the nickel is more 
abundant than in other parts, for it is not equally 
diffused in the alloy. 

Ruby and Sapphire. These crystallize in the 
rhombohedral form. 

The garnet is sometimes mistaken for the East 
Indian ruby, which is the most precious variety, 
but the garnet is isometric, and even when cut and 
mounted may be distinguished from the oriental 
ruby by the superior hardness of the ruby, the latter 
being next to the diamond, while the garnet is only 
as hard as quartz, or not quite so Iiard. So that a 
garnet of the most precious kind if worn will, under 
the strong lens, show the lines of wear, especially on 
the edges, which are absent in the true oriental 
ruby. Oriental garnets are frequently confounded 
with rubies by jewelers in Paris as well as in 
America. So lately as October 3, 1891, two 
oriental garnets worth about $20 each were found 
to be set in a diamond ring as oriental rubies, for 
which the sum of $2,000 was })aid. The firm in 
Paris acknowledged the mistake, and refunded the 
$2,000. The oriental ruby is essentially pure alu¬ 
mina, while the oriental or precious garnet is a 
silicate of alumina with lime and a little iron. 


40 troispectok’s field-book and guide. 


All these gems are found in the crystalline rocks, 
as granites, gneiss, dolomite, and some (topaz, ruby) 
associated with tourmaline, tin ores, mica, etc., and 
the crystalline lime-stones. The true turquois is 
found in Persia in the clay slates in veins running 
in every direction. A^ery good specimens liave been 
found in Arizona and New Mexico ; also in (Colo¬ 
rado in the Holy Cross Alining district, thirty miles 
from Leadville. 


CHAPTER III. 


SURVEYING. 

There are a few simple measurements which are 
sometimes desirable, and wliich can be made with¬ 
out the lal)or of carrying instruments and chains. 
The actual work of surveying, to he of any value to 
the prospector, must be so accurately performed that 
the work should he enteiud upon as a specialty, and 
he must use a theodolite or transit and make use of 
logaritlims. Any small work on surveying or 
trigonometry will give sufHcient information. 

Some few measurements, however, and simple 
surveys with easy methods, are given here to 
meet cases whei*e only a general approximation is 
required. 

TO MEASURE HEIGHTS WHICH ARE INACCESSIBLE. 

Any height of tower, stand-pipe, tree, etc., may lie 
measured approximately by knowing your own 
lieight and taking advantage of sunlight, thus: 

Let A B, Fig. 20, he the height of the object to 
be measured, ddie dotted line is the .shadow cast. 
Walk off into the sunlight and note on the ground 
the point at which your own shadow terminates; 
measure from the iieel to that ])oint. A calcula¬ 
tion in single “ rule of three” will give A B thus; 


42 


PKOSrE(’T()K’s FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


a B' : B'A' : : B 0 : A B. 

Heights of hills or land may be nearly enough 
measured by the aneroid barometer, the instructions 
in the use of which go with the instrument, or may 
be obtained with it, and approximately accurate 
aneroids may be had small enough to go into the 
side pocket, or still more accurate ones may be 
easily carried in a case held by a small strap around 
the shoulders. For hills under 2000 feet, the fol- 


Fig. 20. 

-"'A 



lowing rule will give a very close approximation, 
and is easily remembered, because 55°, the assumed 
temperature, agrees with 55°, the significant figures 
in the 55,000 factor, while the fractional correction 
contains hvo fours. 

Observe the altitudes and also the temperatures 
on the Fahrenheit thermometer, at top and bottom 
res])ectively of the hill, and take the mean between 
them. Let B represent the mean altitude and h the 

mean tem[)erature. Then 5500 x height 

of the hill in feet for the temperature of 55°. Add 
4 ^^ of this result for every degree the mean temper- 




ST’RVEYINO. 


1 ^ 
4o 

ature exceeds 55°; or subtract as nuicli for every 
degree below 55°. 

TO MEASrUK AREAS. 

ddieoretically, it is very easy to “ step off lines,” 
but practically it is very difficult thus to arrive at 
accuracy on uneven land. P)Ut where one is ac- 
(puiinted with the exact average measurement of 
bis step on level land lie may reach some approxi¬ 
mate accuracy on uneven land liy remembering 
that in ascending, even slightly, his average de¬ 
creases, and vice versa in descending. A good strong 
tape measure, kept on a level in ascending and 
descending hills, is more convenient and more 
easily handled than a chain. 

1. On square areas the length of the side multi¬ 
plied into that of the adjacent side gives the area. 

2. In the parallelogram, Avhere all angles are 
right angles, the same is true. 

3. In any other shapes the following rules are to 
he observed : 

IlG. 21. 

First: Measure the area of ^ 
a riglit-angled triangle thus: 

T.et B, Fig.21, he the right- 
angle ; the area of A B C is 
equal to tlie lengtli, B C 
multiplied into half the per- 
pendiculai’ distance, A B. 

Fxample : B 6^= 100 ft.; 
therefore, if A B = 00 ft., 100 x 45 = 4500 S(j. ft 

ai*ea of A B C, 





44 


prospector’s EPEIJ)-B00K and gt^jde. 


Tlie same rule applies when the triangle is not a 
right-angled triangle ; thus, the angle at A, Fig. 22, 
being obtuse, 

Fig. 22. 



nC= 150 ft., .4 5 = 90 ft., multiply 150 ft. by 
one-half .4 i? = 45 ft., and we have 0750 sq. ft., for 
A C 7) is composed of two right-angled triangles, 
A C B and A B D, as in the previous example. 


Fig. 23. 



Or, when the triangle has an acute angle at .4, 
Fig. 23, thus: Treat precisely as in Fig. 22, only 
letting the perpendicular fall from 1) upon A C, 
that is, invert the triangle. 

The cases wherein the sides are more than three 
are treated by resolving all such areas into right- 
angled triangles, thus: 

In Fig. 24, the area, A C D B may be resolved 
into two triangles, .1 C B, and C J) B, of which A 







srKVEYiN(;. 


45 


B is the base of the one and (J B that of the other. 
In Fig. 25, the area, A C D B E K, may be re¬ 
solved into the four triangles, A C D, A D B, 
ABE, and A E K. The perpendiculars of Fig. 24 
are, E D and C E. Those of Fig. 25 are, C H, 
I B, E E, and K G, and the length of bases may 
be multiplied into half that of the perpendiculars, 
as in the cases already given, and the feet be re¬ 
duced to acres, rods, etc., or miles. 

Fig. 24. 


C 



For the number of square feet in an acre, etc., see 
Appendix, No. 3, and treat it thus: Suppose the 
area of Fig. 25 be 80,000 sq. ft., then, according to 
Table No. 3, it will be 1 acre, 3 rods, 13 poles, 25 
yards, 7 feet, or 1.830 + acre. 

TO MEASURE AN INACCESSIBLE LINE. 

Suppose we desire to measure the distance across 
a river, as in Fig. 26. 

We want to find the distance A B. Measure a 



46 


]>ko.spector’8 field-book and guide 


Fig. 2o. 



distance of about 100 ft. B D, at right angles to 
A B, and raise a pole at C, about half-way from B to 


Fig. 26. 



D. Proceed in measuring at right angle to B D, in 
the direction D E, letting E be that point at wliich 
the line C E, if extended, would strike A. Now 








SURVEYING. 


47 


you have two right-angled triangles of the same 
angles, for, as every triangle lias two right angles 
according to geometry, and eacli of these triangles 
has one right angle, and the opposite angles at C 
are equal according to geometry, the remaining 
angles at A and E are equal, and the triangles are 
proportional, and the proportion is— 

CD: D K:: C B: A B; 

then, if C D=iO ft., D /7=^45ft., and 0 B=60, we 
know that 45x00=2700, divided by (CD) 40 ft.= 
07 J ft.; this is for A B, or the distance across the 
river. 

Fig. 27. 



The only difficulty is in measuring your angles 
as true right angles, and' this may be done by 
measuring the perpendicular, thus— 

Extend the line A B, Fig. 20, to F, Fig. 27, and 
likewise the line D E, Fig. 20, to C, as in Fig. 27. 
Now measure equal distances on the line B D, for 
the lines or offsets, B C and B H; also from D C, 
the offsets D I and D K; drive sticks in at (7, 









48 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


/, and K. See that the distances represented by the 
dotted lines are equal, and if so the lines ABF 
and I) (j are perpendicular to the line G K, and 
your work will be well done and very nearly ac¬ 
curate. 

It is, however, well for the prospector to use a 
prism compass which will read to one-quarter de¬ 
gree. Such a compass may be had at very low rate, 
not more than three inches diameter, of light 
weight and of sufficient accuracy. The author has 
used one for many years, and traveled with it 
many thousands of miles in Asia and Africa, and 
can testify to the fact that by customary use it may 
be handled to a great degree of accuracy for hori¬ 
zontal angles. The needle is attached to the under 
side of a cord with steel engraved degrees and frac¬ 
tions, and read by a magnifying prism. 

In almost every conceivable surveying i)roject, es¬ 
pecially in running adits and sinking shafts to strike 
adits and galleries, only the liest instruments should 
be used. Everything depends upon the most ac¬ 
curate measurements, and this department of en¬ 
gineering is not one that can he treated ajiproxi- 
mately, because any error in measurement may 
result in very provoking and expensive mistakes. 

We have })resented all that is necessary on surface 
measurements, excejit where it becomes necessary to 
make such accurate proceedings as may only be ex¬ 
ecuted by use of the finest instruments, and that 
with considerable practice. Otherwise accurate 
mathematical tables are of little importance, as 


SURVEYING. 


49 


their use is based upon tlie presence of most accurate 
data, and witliout tliis the best metliods and dia¬ 
grams are in vain. 

The subject of mining engineering does not come 
witliin tlie range of our work, and for all mere ex¬ 
ploring as a prospector such ground-work or digging 
for examinaiion as is necessary will readily suggest 
itself to any intelligent workman. 

4 


CHAPTER IV. 


ANALYSES OF OKES-WET METHOD. 

Preliminary examinations may be made at 
first with the pocket lens and a piece of steel or a 
heavy-bladed pocket-knife. The first, to see if any 
native metals or any sulphides, etc., are present; 
the second, to try the softness or silicious nature of 
the mineral; if much quartz (silex) is present it will 
strike fire. 

Pulverize a small part and use the blow-pipe to 
detect SULPHUR, arsenic, silenium, by the smell on 
charcoal or in the glass tube. Arsenic fumes have 
a garlic odor, silenium that of horse-radish. 

Use a test tube with a little nitric acid and heat 
over a spirit flame. Add a few drops of water and 
one drop of sulphocyanide of potash—an intense 
deep red appears, deeper according to amount of 
IRON and solvency of the mineral in nitric acid. 

Try another portion in the same way, but drop 
one drop of hydrochloric acid. A dense curdy 
white precipitate indicates silver. 

Native gold or silver is determined by color 
and softness, as we have elsewhere stated {see Index). 

Treat another portion in the same way with nitric 
acid, drop in several drops of strong ammonia water. 
The blue color indicates copper. 

(50) 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


51 


Antimony and tin are detected by the blow-pipe. 
Place the former upon charcoal with carbonate of 
soda, and brilliant metallic globules are obtained, 
the metal fumes and volatilizes, and covers the 
charcoal with white incrustations, and needle-shaped 
crystals appear. Tin appears when the ore is mixed 
with carbonate of soda and cyanide of potassium on 
charcoal, and the inner flame turned on—ductile 
grains of metallic tin and no incrustations appear. 

Mariga/nese gives amethystine beads of borax in the 
outer flame, 0 F, disappears with the inner, IF, re¬ 
appears with the 0 F. 

Alumina, magnesia, lime, give their characteristic 
colors, or in the last case, incandescent light before 
the blow-pipe on charcoal. Alumina heated on 
charcoal, and then touched by a half drop of proto¬ 
nitrate of cobalt, then heated strongly in the 0 
flame, gives a blue color. Magnesia so treated gives 
a faint red or pink, seen just as it cools. 

Zinc heated on charcoal with carbonate of soda in 
the reducing flame becomes metallic, and when 
oxidized in 0 flame gives a vv’hite oxide which is 
yellow when hot, white when cooled, and with pro¬ 
tonitrate of cobalt when heated in the 0 flame, a 
beautiful characteristic green color. 

Cobalt and nickel give the colors we have noticed 
in another place under their respective names (see 
Index). 

Uranium heated with microcosmic salt (phosphate 
of soda and ammonia), on platinum wire in the 0 
flame dissolves, producing a clear yellow glass. 


52 


PK()SPE(’T()K’s field-book and guide. 

whicli, on cooling, becomes yellowish-green. But 
the analyst should remember tliat copper produces 
a green bead, but (mbf in the outer or oxidizing 
dame, and cbromnnn the same, but in both outer 
and inner flames. 

d’he copper green becomes blue on cooling, the 
chromium green remains green on cooling. This 
will always prove tlie metal. 

Titaninm in the ju’esence of peroxide of iron, as in 
some titanic oi*es of iron and sand, gives, with 
microcosmic salt in a strong reducing blow-pipe 
flame, a yellow glass, on cooling red. 

Merctirij may be detected in almost any of its ores 
by the process described (see Index), by heating in a 
glass tube and noting, under the lens, the sublima¬ 
tion of mercury in very minute shining })articles. 

^linerals which are carhonafes may be detected by 
their eftervesconce when touched by a drop of 
Inalrochloric acid, as in lime^stone and s})athic iron 
ore. But the analyst must remember that some 
cyanides effervesce where neither lime nor carbonic 
acid is present, and chloride of lime where there is 
no carboidc acid. A\dth these latter other tests must 
be used, but the smell will show that carbonic acid 
does not exist, the latter having no smell. 

Some sandstones have a small amount of lime 
carbonate and must be tried under the lens, as tlie 
bubbles are minute. Ihit, while in these examina¬ 
tions great help is received, and many determina¬ 
tions made, especially in sim])le minerals and ores, 
there are compound ores so mixed in elements that 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


53 


the above tests fail to give satisfaction, because the 
colors are mixed and the action confused. Some of 
the elements must be moved out of the association 
and a separation made. This analysis is called 
qualitative, and we shall take a case of very full 
analysis of a compound ore. 

Qualitative analysis of ores where many ele¬ 
ments are present: 

There are many times when it becomes not only 
a matter of curiosity but of importance for the pros¬ 
pector to know the entire composition of the ore he 
has before him. 

With a little practice the ‘‘ wet method,” as it is 
called, may be used by the prospector with all the 
accuracy required under the circumstances. 

The “ dry method ” of analysis is that in which 
no liquids are used, but only fluxes and heat. 
Although for one or two elements it is simpler than 
the wet method, it may so happen that sufflcient 
heat cannot be had. We shall, therefore, give some 
directions whereby the wet metliod may prove of 
greater service. 

1. Pulverize the ore as finely as possible and 
sieve it, pa.ssing the entire quantity taken as an 
assay. Should any part be left remaining in the 
sieve it may be a very important part. Pass the 
whole througli. 

2. Take a test tube and drop a little of the sifted 
ore into it, pom- a little nitric acid upon it, add 
about one-eighth part water, warm it gently over a, 
.spirit flame to see if it will dissolve ; if not, then add 


54 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

four times as much in bulk of muriatic acid (hydro¬ 
chloric acid). If this will not dissolve then proceed 
as follows:— 

3. Put the assay, after fine pulverization, into a 
platinum crucible. Place it in a suitably arranged 
platinum wire triangle so that it will hang over an 
alcoholic blast lamp. When all is ready add a 
mixture of equal parts of sodium carbonate and of 
potassium carbonate, amounting in all to about four 
times the bulk of the assay, stir gently with a glass 
rod or a stiff platinum wire, and then light the 
lamp. Watch the assay, and when it begins to 
swell up withdraw the lamp, but return it when the 
swelling subsides, so that the alkalies do not throw 
your assay out of the crucible, which should be only 
one-half full at the beginning. With care the con¬ 
tents will soon subside, and under increased heat 
become a quiet liquid mass. Now, extinguish the 
fiame, cool the crucible, remove crucible contents to 
a beaker glass or place the crucible with its con¬ 
tents within the beakei’, and pour a little water 
upon it, add some nitric acid, or a little hydrochloric 
acid, but not the two acids together, unless you have 
only the assay and not the platinum crucible in 
the beaker—nitro-muriatic acid dissolves platinum. 
Warm and stir till the assay is entirely dissolved, 
except perhaps some white grains of silex. 

4. If the preceding work has been properly per¬ 
formed, the assay is now dissolved and you are 
ready for work. Filter the contents of the beaker 
to separate any undissolved remainder, if any such 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


55 


is seen in the glass, and wash the filter-paper by 
passing an ounce or two of water through it, and 
now make preparations for the next step. It is not 
necessary, where extreme accuracy is not required, 
to wash the filter-paper perfectly free from the acids. 
But if it be necessary, then furnish yourself with a 
small strip of platinum ribbon, clean its surface to a 
polish. If a drop of the filtrate evaporated from 
this surface shows not the least trace of sediment or 
outline even under a lens, the filter-paper is 
sufficiently washed. When the filter-paper is to be 
burned and weighed, it must be perfectly freed from 
the acids by continuous washing. 

5. Pour ten or fifteen drops of the filtrate into a 
test tube. Drop in three or four drops of hydro¬ 
chloric acid. If a precipitate forms it may be of 
silver; if so, it will grow dark violet on exposure to 
daylight, or more rapidly and darker in sunlight. 
Or to test more quickly, add strong ammonia, 30 to 
40 drops, it dissolves after a short time ; or if it does 
not dissolve, then it is lead ; filter and test on 
charcoal with the blow-pipe; if it gives, with inner 
flame, a bead and yellow incrustation around, it is 
LEAD. Or, if none of the above results are seen, and 
vet there is a precipitate, tlien it is mercury. To 
prove this, add a solution of carbonate of potasli and 
digest, it turns black ; filter and place it in a glass 
tube, heat gently with blow-pipe; it volatilizes and 
condenses on the sides, examine with strong lens, 
it is mercury. 

b. But suppose hydrochloric acid produces no 


56 


PROSPECTOR S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


precipitate tliougli in excess and lieated? Tlien 
there is neither lead, silver, nor mercury in the 
assay, and it is not necessary to treat the ore for 
either, but i)roceed to the next ste}). It will be seen 
why we directed nitric acid to be poured on the 
assay, as in No. 2. liydrocldoric acid would have 
prevented these tests as given, but you are now pre¬ 
pared for the next metals, with three less to look for, 
or with a certainty as to the presence of one or 
more of the three. 

7. The whole assay, or its solution, may now be 
used. If any precipitate occurred in the test tube, 
treat the whole assay solution with hydrochloric 
acid, heat to boiling, and separate the ])recipitated 
metal or metals in the whole, as in the test tube, by 
filtration. Wa.sh, set the pa})er (filter) aside under 
cover of paper to dry, and pass hydrogen sulphide 
slowly through the filtrate until the filtrate smells 
plainly of the gas. 

8. As tins gas is frequently used, make a simple 
and cheap a})])aratus .so that you may have a supply 
at any time, thus: Cut off the bottom of a long 
bottle* of small diameter, />, say about two inches, 
and fit it into a fruit jar, K, as in Fig. 28. 

The top A should be fitted loosely so that it may 

*Cut a nick, with a large hie, in the spot where yon wish 
to start a crack near the bottom, then heat a rod, or poker, 
or .spike-nail, nearly red-hot, place it on the nick, a crack 
starts; draw your hot iron and the crack will follow: when 
nearly cracked around pull the bottom off. A glass chimney 
may be used, but it is rather too small to contain sufficient 
iron sulphide. 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


57 


be removed and let air pass through. The cork at B 
must be air-tight. Fit a small tube into the cork 
after bending it in a spirit-lamp flame—a quarter- 
inch tube with an eighth-inch aperture is suffic¬ 
iently large and is easily bent. Take an inch rod 
of iron, let the blacksmith heat it white-hot, and 
press it into a small roll of brimstone, this will give 
you iron sulphide—you need it in pieces as large as 
bullets: it melts readily against the brimstone. 
Place some cotton in the neck of the bottle, and. 


Fig. 28. 



having fitted a plug of wood with holes in it for the 
bottom of the bottle, invert the bottle and fill it 
half full of iron sulphide lumps, fasten the wooden 
|)lug in the bottom, not very tightly, but tightly in 
three or four places, so that water can pass easily, 
and yet the plug be well fixed in. Put the bottle 
in its place, resting in the jar at A, and somewhat 
loosely fastened. But this must be after you have 
half filled the jar with a mixture of equal parts of 
conimo]! hydrochloric acid and rain-water (or, next 
















58 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


best, well-water). Hydrogen suljihide will form 
immediately, and if you have made all connections 
perfectly, as in the figure, the gas will pass from 
this apparatus into the solution of ore in the beaker 
and jirecipitation will soon take place. The ad¬ 
vantage of this apparatus is that if you tie two little 
blocks of wood against the sides of the India-rubber 
tubes, C C, so as to press the sides together and stop 
the gas from floAving, the gas forming pushes the 
water out of the interior glass ]), and the gas stops 
forming, but is ready at any moment to begin as 
soon as the string around the little blocks is re¬ 
moved. 

b. After introducing the hydrogen sulphide until 
the filtrate smells of the gas, filter and wash the 
})recipitate, mark the pa])er letter A, and put this 
j)recipitate aside for the present. This is the precAp- 
itate from the hydrogen sulphide. 

10. The filtrate. If tlie strip of platinum 
shows that it contains some material after evapora¬ 
tion of some droi)S, jiroceed by adding a solution of 
ammonium chloride (sal ammoniac), and then aqua 
ammonia to the filtrate, using about one-fifteenth 
or one-twentieth, of the bulk. Then add ammo¬ 
nium sulphide so long as any precipitate is appar¬ 
ent. Ijct it stand awhile. This precipitate may 
contain alumina, cliromium oxide, zinc, nickel, 
manganese, cobalt and ii-on as sulpbides. It may 
likewise contain phosjihates, liorate.s, oxalates, and 
hydrofiuates of the alkaline earths (barium, stron¬ 
tium and lime). Tbe latter we may not care for, 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


59 


11. Filter and wash this precipitate. Add a little 
water to the hydrochloric acid, now to be used in 
treating this precipitate. Add this diluted hydro¬ 
chloric acid in sufficient quantity to dissolve the 
precipitate, and put it aside to digest. If any part 
refuses to dissolve, it is because there may be 
present cobalt, or nickel, or both; add nitric acid 
and boil, for these metals dissolve in hot nitro- 
hydrochloric acid. Filter. Next add to the whole 
solution ammonium chloride, and excess of aqua 
ammonia. The consequent precipitate may con¬ 
tain alumina, chromium oxide, sesquioxide of iron, 
and the alkaline earths, as phosphates, etc. Dis¬ 
solve the precipitate by digesting in caustic potash 
solution till all is dissolved that will dissolve. Filter. 
The solution may contain alumina and chromium 
oxide; boil for some time, and if a precipitate is 
formed, it is chromium oxide ; confirm by the 
blow-pipe, it gives a green bead with borax, height¬ 
ened by fusion with metallic tin or charcoal, which 
is the blow-])ipe test for (•hroinium. 

12. Now su])er-saturate the solution with hydro¬ 
chloric acid and boil with excess of ammonia ;* if a 
precipitate is formed it is alumina. Confirm with 
blow pipe, as we have shown. What was dissolved 
by digestion with potassium hydroxide (caustic 
potash solution) has now been treated. The precip¬ 
itate may contain iron and more chromium oxide, 
and the phosphates, etc., of the alkaline earths. 

exces.s we mean .so much that after stirring with a 
glass strip or rod, the liquid smells strongly of ammonia. 


60 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


13. We will now proceed with a portion of this 
precipitate by first dissolving it in as small a quan¬ 
tity of hydrochloric acid as is possible, filter, and 
add to the solution (made as nearly neutral as pos¬ 
sible) two or three drops of ferro-cyanide of potash 
(yellow prussiate of potash in solution); a blue pre¬ 
cipitate is formed, proving the presence of iron 
sesquioxide. A\"ash another portion and fuse it in a 
small crucible with potassium nitrate (pure salt¬ 
petre) and sodium carbonate about equal parts. 
When cold digest with water; a yellow solution 
results, which produces a yellow precipitate with 
acetate of lead, showing the presence of oxide of 
chromium. This double finding of chromium oxide 
(for it was found before) is due to tlie relative quan¬ 
tity of iron present as related to chromium oxide 
present, which will not be entirely precipitated at 
one time in the presence of iron under these cir¬ 
cumstances. 

14. We now go back to the solution filtered off' 
from the })recipitate treated of in paragraph 11. 
This solution may contain zinc, manganese, nickel 
and cobalt. Digest with ammonium sulphide, wash 
the consequent precipitate and dissolve it in nitro- 
hydrochloric acid (aqua regia). It may be dissolved 
upon the filter by dropping tlie mixed acids and 
filtering through into a clean beaker, just as it 
could have been done in ])aragraph 11. This is 
convenient when the precipitate adheres too tightly 
to the filter to allow of scraping it oh' entirely. 
Digest this clear solution with potassium hydroxide 


ANALYSES OF OKES. 


61 


(or caustic potassa) precisely as in paragraph 11. 
This potassa may be put into the beaker in small 
pieces of tlie stick, in which form j)otassium 
hydroxide generally is sold. 

(а) The solution may contain zinc oxide. 

(б) The precipitate may contain manganese, co¬ 
balt and nickel, as oxides. Pass hydrogen sulphide 
through the solution {a) until tlie precipitate (white 
zinc) has ceased to fall. Wash and agitate the 
precipitate (7>) with a solution of carbonate of am¬ 
monia. The precipitate which now falls is the car¬ 
bonate oi manganem —confirm this by the blow-pipe. 
The solution from this last treatment may contain 
cobalt and nickel oxides; evaporate it to dryness, re¬ 
dissolve in a few drops of hydrochloric acid, and 
again evaporate to a moist mass and divide the 
mass into two i)arts. Heat one portion with borax 
in the blow-pipe Hame ; a blue bead proves cohalt. 
Dissolve the other portion in water and add solu¬ 
tion of cyanide of potassium slowly, a precipitate is 
formed which on continued adding of the potassium 
cyanide begins to re-dissolve. On adding hydro¬ 
chloric acid it is again precipitated. It is nichel. 
Confirm with the blow-j)ipe. 

15. In paragraph 9, paper .1 was put aside. This 
])aper contained the precipitate holding the copper 
of the ore if ang was present. Digest this with 
ammonium sulphide (or potassium sulphide). A 
solution and a precipitate are formed. The precipi¬ 
tate may contain lead, mercury, bismuth, cadmium, 
besides copper, as sulphides. The solution may con- 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


()2 


tain gold, platinum, antimony, arsenic, and tin as 
sulphides. 

16. Treat the precipitate first, by boiling it with 
nitric acid. A black or brownish residue remains 
undissolved. Take a hard glass tube, and having- 
washed and dried the black residue, introduce some 
of it into the tube and heat it. It may act in three 
ways: (a) it sublimes without change ; mercury oxide 
was present—test with blow-pipe ; {b) it sublimes 
leaving a white powder which when moistened with 
ammonium sulphide turns black, proving it to be lead 
sulphate ; (c) it sublimes, but as a mixture of mercury 
snlphide with minute globules of metallic mercury, 
showing that through some haste or lack of care, 
mercury as sub-oxide of mercury still remains when 
it should have been entirely precipitated as chloride 
of mercury at the first (paragraph 5). 

17. We now proceed with the filtrate (obtained as 
stated in paragraph 16), from the black or brownish 
residue. Treat this with solution of carbonate of 
potash and wash the consequent precipitate, and then 
digest this precipitate in cyanide of potassium in ex¬ 
cess, while it is moist. This may be done on the 
filter after changing tlie beaker, since this filtrate or 
solution must be kept. The insoluble part may con¬ 
tain lead and bismuth as carbonates—the solution 
may contain copper and cadmium as double salts 
with cyanide of potassium. 

18. Proceed with the insoluble part by boiling it 
with dilute hydrochloric acid. To one part of the 
resultant solution add sulphuric acid, the precipitate 


ANATA'SES OF OKKS. 


B8 

indicates lead ; to the other part, after concentration 
by evaporation, add a large quantity of water—a 
milkiness is produced indicating bismuth. 

19. Into the solution, (paragraph 17), after digest¬ 
ing with potassium cyanide, pass hydrogen sulphide 
—the precipitate, if formed, indicates cadmium —test 
it with the blowpipe. To the solution add hydro¬ 
chloric acid —copper sulphide will be precipitated; 
add a few drops nitric acid which will dissolve the 
copper sulphide, and then by adding ammonia in 
slight excess the solution has a blue color indicating 
copper. 

20. We are now to treat the solution mentioned in 
paragraph 15. The insoluble part, paragraph 16, 
having been separated off as there stated, add to the 
solution acetic acid, and boil. If a precipitate be 
produced, collect a small portion, wash and heat it 
over a spirit-lamp upon a strip of platinum foil. If 
it burns with a bluish flame and leaves no residue 
ivhatever, it is sulphur and nothing more may be 
done—this part of the assay is exhausted. But if it 
leaves some residue, then several important elements 
may be present. Proceed, and to one part add a 
solution of chloride of tin (protochloride with a 
drop of nitric acid added), a purple color is pro¬ 
duced. To another part add a solution of proto¬ 
sulphate of iron—a brown precipitate is produced 
indicating gold in both cases. 

To another part add ammonium chloride (solu¬ 
tion), a yellow crystalline precipitate falls which 
marks platinum. Arsenic may be tested by the 


f)4 prospp:ct()k^s field-book and guide. 

blow-pipe in the ore, but if tlie presence of sulphur, 
in larger (|nantity, })revents detecting a small 
quantity of arsenic, it maybe detected thus: Take a 
part of the black or brownisli preci])itate resulting 
from the addition of acetic acid, and mix it with 
three times its bulk of nitrate of j)otash (saltpetre) 
and carbonate of soda. Troject this mixture, a little 
at a time, into a llerlin crucible, in wliich a mixture 
of the same substances lias been ])laced and is in 
fusion over a lamp. At conclusioiq digest tlie fused 
mass witli })ure water; lilter; add excess of nitric 
acid and heat; now add nitrate of silver; filter 
when cold, and add very dilute ammonia ; a brown 
precipitation or coloring marks arsenic. 

Dissolve another portion of the dark precipitate 
or residue from acetic acid in hydrochloric acid. 
Place in the solution a strij) of metallic zinc—a 
pulverulent de})osit takes place on tlie zinc, indi¬ 
cating antimony. If more jiroof be wanted remove 
the powder to a beaker and digest in nitric acid, 
when a wliite precipitate is formed. Digest it with 
a strong solution of tartaric acid, only a part may 
be dissolved, but tilter; into the clear solution pass 
hydrogen suljihide and an orange-colored precipi¬ 
tate is formed, i)roving antimony. 

In the last paragraph it was found that a })art of 
the ])recii)itate was not dissolved in the tartaric 
acid; dry it; idace it on charcoal with a little 
cyanide of potassium and caiTonate of soda, and 
turn the inner flame of the blow-pi})e ujion it; it is 
reduced to metallic tin. 


ANALYSES OF OKES. 


65 


In the above analysis provision has been made 
for the detection of sixteen elements. Of course, if 
no precipitates or signs appear at any one stage of 
the analysis, proceed immediately to the next, for it 
is not probable that any mineral will ever contain 
even one-half the elements mentioned in the assa}", 
but the full number is given so as to reach any 
possible case. 


DRY ASSAY OF ORES. 

We have given the wet assay method, and we 
now give as much of the dry assay as may generally 
be called for. 

What will be first needed in the dry assay are 
crucibles, scorifiers and cupels. Crucibles for 
general purposes are made of coarse material, and 
are called Hessian. They are sold in nests of five 
or more. The only sizes of much value are those 
holding about 0 to 8 ounces. Scorifiers are flat, 
but thick, clay saucers intended to prepare the 
rough ore for the finer treatment by use of the 
cupel and in the assay furnace. The cupel is a 
little saucer of bone-ash, intended to be used on the 
floor or bottom of a heated muffle in the assay 
furnace. The muffle is a clay oven of small 
dimensions, intended to protect the scorifier and 
cupel from the coals of the furnace. They can be 
obtained at any chemical warehouse. 

An assay furnacje may be made of sheet-iron 
some 15 inches in diameter, with a grate near the 
bottom, and lined with either ordinary or fire brick, 
5 


66 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

We give in the accompan 3 hng figure the general form 
of one we have used for years with perfect success. 

A plain sheet-iron cylinder 
(Fig. 29) 18 inches high and 15 
inches in diameter, with draft 
hole at A, muffle hole at B, and 
pipe-hole at C, and lined, as we 
have said, with brick, will an¬ 
swer all purposes of the best 
assays. The hole at C must 
have a collar and pipe either 
for a chimney, or it must enter 
a chimney. B must be pro¬ 
vided with a flanged door, as 
also the draft hole A. The top may have, loosel}^ 
laid on, only a square sheet of heavy sheet-iron, 
and tlie whole placed upon a flat stone or some 
bricks. Several heavy bars of iron nicked into the 
bricks will answer where there is no iron foundr}^ 
at hand to cast a grating, D. Charcoal or coke 
may be used, or, where the draft is strong, a hard 
coal. 

The crucible should be lined with charcoal flnel}^ 
pulverized, and made pasty by mixing with molasses 
or any syrup. This process is called brasquing.” 
Heat the crucible before using, to dry out the s^^rup. 

If the object is to obtain the amount of iron in 
AN ORE, pulverize the ore to about forty to the inch, 
weigh it, mix it with charcoal and cast the mixture 
from a piece of paper into the bottom of the crucible, 
cover it with charcoal an inch or two deej), drop in 


Fio. 29. 


- 

© - 

B 

D 













ANALYSES OF ORES. 


67 


two or three pieces of brick, and place the crucible 
in the hottest part of the fire, cover all with coal 
and gradually increase the heat and keep it nearly 
at white heat for half an hour, draw it out, jar the 
crucible down on a stone to settle the melted 
button. When cool take out the contents,- and the 
metallic iron will be found with its slag attached. 
Clean the button, weigh it, and the weight of the 
ore used is to the weight of the button as 100 is to 
the per cent, of iron in that ore; that is, multiply 
the weight of the button by 100 and divide by the 
weight of the ore used. 

Scales, weighing, etc. There is no advantage 
gained in using any other method of weighing than 
that by a pair of brass scales. A small pair of scales, 
sufficiently delicate, may be bought at any chemical 
warehouse, made to pack and carry with ease and 
security. A pair weighing to ^ grain is 

quite sufficient for average work. When in a fixed 
laboratory at home the scales weighing to 5 -^Vo grain, 
or half a milligram, will save chemicals, time and 
work ; but unless the analyst has an absolutely true 
average of the ton of ore most carefully chosen, the 
smaller the amount of ore used the more likely is 
the assay to prove deceptive when proportioned to 
the ton. 

Pulverization for the dry method should never 
be more than 50 or 60 to the inch. Smaller par¬ 
ticles are apt to be lost or separated in the crucible. 
Obtain a piece of silk ])olting cloth from a flour 
miller or from the source from which he gets his 


68 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

cloth, and select two or three grades, one for wet 
analysis,” which may be as fine as 80 to the inch. 
Have a rim made by the tinner to tie on the sieving 
cloth, or use a cracked beaker glass, cutting it off by 
the method we have already given. (See previous 
note, page 56^ 

Gold and Silver Ores. These ores require pre¬ 
paration in the scorifer. Powder the ore, of which 
take about 50 grains; of lead shavings take from 
500 to 1000 grains, according to the probable 
amount of silver, much if much silver is present, 
and of borax take about 50 grains. Mix the ore 
with half the lead and place it in the scorifier, 
spread the other half over the contents, and finally 
spread the borax over all. Put the scorifer in the 
muffle, close the door, and heat up to fusion—then 
the door must be partly opened, heat increased, 
until the oxidized lead (litharge) covers the scorfier 
—take it out and pour the contents into an iron 
cavity or mould, separate the button and hammer 
it up into the shape of a cube. It is now ready for 
cupellation, as it contains all the gold and silver. 

Gupellation. This process simply separates the 
lead from the gold and silver. This it does both 
by absorbing and by oxidizing. Cupels may be 
made, but they may be bought so cheaply that it is 
seldom worth the trouble to make them. 

Push a cupel into the heated muffle, place the 
cube of lead in the cupel with little tongs, and heat 
up till the lead melts, watch the lead gradually 
wasting away until reduced to the size of the silver 


ANALYSES OP ORES. 


69 


it contains, when the surface will become instan¬ 
taneously bright and nothing remains but the silver 
containing the gold. Withdraw the cupel and cool 
and weigh the ball. The gold and silver must be 
separated by the wet process, thus: Dissolve the ball 
in strong nitric acid with heat till the acid boils; a 
dark powder precipitates ; filter off the dark powder, 
it is the gold, and precipitate the silver by solution 
of common table salt or by hydrochloric acid; after 
all is precipitated drop into the white precipitate 
some pieces of zinc, add more hydrochloric acid— 
hydrogen gas is generated, which reduces the white 
silver chloride to powdered metallic silver. The 
gold and the silver may now be melted in separate 
crucibles, weighed and compared with the amount of 
ore used. 

In these trials the lead should first be cupelled 
for its silver, and that subtracted from the silver 
found, as almost all leads contain some silver. 

If it should be more convenient to melt the ore 
in a crucible rather than a scorifier, use the follow¬ 
ing flux: If the ore is composed chiefly of rock, pul¬ 
verize, take 100 to 500 grains of ore, red lead 500 
grains, charcoal powder 20 to 25 grains, carbonate 
of soda and borax together 500 grains—the more 
rock the more carbonate of soda, the more metallic 
bases the more borax. Place a little borax over all 
and melt till all is liquid, requiring about 20 min¬ 
utes ; withdraw, extract the button when cool, ham¬ 
mer up to a cube and cupel. Separate the gold and 
silver as before, but remember that the amount of 


70 


phospkutok’s FIKLD-BOOK and (U idk. 


silver must be three times that of the gold, and ii* 
there is reason to believe that there is not this 
amount, some silver must he melted with the button, 
since the sei)aration will not otherwise he complete. 

Lkad Ore, Galena. The charge for the crucible 
is carbonate of soda, two or three times the weight 
of the ore, three or four ten])enny nails on top to 
absorb the sulphui*, and a covering of salt or borax 
heated to redness about 20 minutes. Pour the con¬ 
tents into a crucible and sej^arate the button. 

CbppEK Ore. The wet assay is better than the 
dry, especially that by the burette, which we shall 
give later on. 

Tin Ore. If it is mixed with iron or copper 
pyrites it should be powdered and roasted, and then 
mixed with one-quarter of its weight of charcoal 
and subjected to great heat in a crucible for about 
20 minutes. Jar it as in an iron assay, let it cool, 
and pick out tlie button or buttons, or pour it out 
while melted. 

It may be reduced otherwise by melting the pow¬ 
dered ore with cyanide of potassium, 100 grains of 
ore to 600 grains-of cyanide. Pool, extract button. 

Tins ore is very bard and may I)e powdered to 60 
to the inch. 

Mercury. These ores are easily reduced by 
simply heating and condensing the vapors in a 
cold bath as in using a retort and cool receiver. 

Antimony. Place about 2000 grains of ore pow¬ 
dered in a crucible having a hole chipped out in 
the bottom, and the hole sto])])ed loosely with a 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


71 


piece of cluircoal. Put this crucible into another 
half-way down. Then lute on the lid and put clay 
around the juncture of the two and put live coals 
around the U])per crucible hy ])lacing some broken 
bricks around the lower on the grate, to keep the 
coals away from the upper. The antimony will 
melt and leave its gangue rock in the upper crucible 
while the lower will receive the melted metal. 

Bismuth, zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and 
other metals should be reduced or analyzed by the 
“wet process ” which we have already given. (In 
this chapter, IV.) 


CHAPTEK V. 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 

We shall now proceed to a more definite and 
practical treatment of these two subjects, technical 
MINERALOGY and ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, SO far. Only, as 
they may be of service in the work before us. 

The first suggestion we have to make is that the 
best preparation for the general study of mineralogy 
is to gather a collection of the chief mineral sub¬ 
stances with which the student is to come in con¬ 
tact. In many cases very small specimens are 
sufficient. As we proceed in our treatment of each 
substance it will occur to the reader what and how 
much he needs to obtain. But it should be empha¬ 
sized that no amount of study on the part of the 
student, nor of description on the part of the in¬ 
structor, can ever take the place of the actual 
specimen.* 

Gold.— Gold is one of the most Avidely distributed 
metals, hut generally speaking accumulations of 
larger quantities of it are found only in a few local¬ 
ities. Traces of it pass from various ores into arti¬ 
ficial products, for instance, into litharge, minium, 
white lead, silver and copper and coins made there- 

* For list of specimens, see end of book. 

(72) 


SPEC! A L MIN ERA LOGY-GO L D. 


78 


from, etc. Minute quantities of gold (about 13 
grains in 1 ton) have been found even in sea water 
as well as in clay deposits. While in the iiortherii 
and the temperate zones iron ore in large masses is 
met with, accumulations of the nohle metals, espe¬ 
cially gold, are found more frequently in the neigh¬ 
borhood of the equator. 

The chief supplies of gold are at the present time 
obtained from the United States (California, Nevada, 
Arizona, Montana, Utah and Colorado), from British 
Columbia, Nova Scotia, Mexico, Peru and Brazil, 
from Australia (especially Victoria, New South 
Wales and Queensland), Tasmania, New Zealand, 
and in Africa (Natal, the Transvaal, etc.). The 
Ural Mountains and Siberia also yield considerable 
gold. In Europe only Transylvania and Hungary 
are of any importance. 

Gold occurs almost exclusively in the metallic 
state, either in situ, in quartz rock, especially along 
with quartz, pyrites and hydroferrite; also as gold 
sand, in dust or grains, leaflets and rounded pieces 
(nuggets), in the sands of rivers or in alluvial soils, 
consisting chiefly of clay and quartz sand along 
with mica, water-worn fragments of syenite, chlorite 
slate, grains of chrome iron and magnetic iron, 
spinel, garnet, etc. In the metallic state it con¬ 
tains always more or less silver as electrum. Ac* 
cording to recent analyses native gold contains : 

Transyl- South 


vania. America. Siberia. California. Australia. 

Gold. 64.77 88.04 86.50 93.60 99.2 and 95.7 

Silver. 35.23 11.96 13.20 10.06 0.43 “ 3.8 

Iron and other metals. — — 0.30 0.34 0.28 “ 0.2 




7 ^ 


pkospkctok's field-book and guide. 


Siberian, Californian and Australian gold con¬ 
tains not nnfrequently osiniridiuin, palladium and 
platinum. Mexican rhodium-gold contains 34 to 
43 per cent, rhodium. Gold amalgam is found in 
California and Columbia. The so-called black gold 
vvdiich occurs in nuggets in Arizona and at Maldon, 
Mctoria, in granite and quartz lodes, is crystalline 
and silver-like when freshly fractured, but soon 
turns black in the air. It is’ bismuth-gold, with 
64.211 gold, 34.398 bismuth and 1.591 gangue. 
Gold is also often met with in native tellurium and 
silver telluride, sometimes in iron pyrites, copper 
pyrites, in blende, in arsenical pyrites and galena. 
To detect a content of native gold in pyrites bring 
a few drops of mercury into a porcelain crucible, 
put a perforated piece of cardboard in the crucible 
so that it rests a short distance above the mercury, 
place a small package of })yrites over the hole in 
the cardboard, heat the crucible for some time and 
watch with the pocket-lens for the appearance of 
white stains of gold amalgam, which on rubbing 
with a brush or a feather become lustrous. 

Gold crystallizes in the isometric system, but 
crystals are seldom found. Figs. 30 and 31 repre¬ 
sent gold crystals. Twin crystals are also occasion¬ 
ally found. In Sonora, California, Blake found 
gold ill hexagonal prisms. Fig. 32 shows the finest 
gold-dust 700 times magnified, and Fig. 33 a re¬ 
duced illustration of a lump of gold which was 
found at Forest Creek, A^ictoria, Australia. It 
weighed more thnn 30 pounds, and was 11.33 


s P K c IA r. MI N KR A LOG Y-(J ()LI). 


75 


inclies long and 5.15 inches wide. The largest 
nugget of gold ever found was at Ballarat, Austra¬ 
lia. It weighed over IDl pounds, an<l was *20 
inches long and 9 inches wide. 

J he specific gravity of gold is Ifi to 19.5, accord¬ 



ing to the amount of alloy ; hardness 2.5 to 3.0. It 
is the only yellow, malleahle mineral found in a 
natural state. Its color varies from pale to deep 


Fig. 8^1. 



yellow. In some localities, such as in New South 
Wales, Australia, and Costa Ivica, it is often found 
of a very light color, but it presents the same color 
from whatever direction it is looked at, and to the 






76 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

prospector this is a guiding test. Indeed one of the 
most important and useful accomplishments for 
gold exploitation is “ an eye for color.” Native 
gold possesses a peculiar color which is readily 
recognized, although the gold may be alloyed with 
silver or copper, and its color will in an instant dis¬ 
tinguish it in the eye of the expert from any condi¬ 
tion of pyrites, whether iron or copper pyrites. 

Gold grains will always flatten when struck with 
a hammer or between two stones, whereas other 
minerals similar in color will break into fragments. 
Or if the doubtful particle is coarse enough, take a 
needle and stick the point into the questionable 
specimen. If gold the steel point will readil}" prick 
it; if pyrites or yellow mica the point will glance 
off or only scratch it. 

Under the blow-pipe, on a piece of charcoal, gold 
may melt, but on cooling it always retains its color; 
any other mineral will lose color, become black¬ 
ened, or will be attracted to the end of your pen¬ 
knife blade, if that blade has been previously 
magnetized, and the unknown substance contains 
iron. 

Gold imparts no color to boiling nitric acid. It 
will not dissolve in nitric or hydrochloric acid 
separately, but it does dissolve in the two when 
combined, and then the acid is known as nitro- 
muriatic acid or aqua regia. Proportions: one 
nitric to four muriatic. 

But it is not always a trustworthy sign that par¬ 
ticles are gold because they will not dissolve in 


SPPX'IAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


77 


nitric acid. Some seemingly gold-colored particles 
will not dissolve in nitric acid, and yet contain not 
a trace of gold. 

The simplest instrument for the discovery of gold 
in fine dissemination through sand or dirt is a 
shallow iron pan or dish; a frying pan free from 
grease will answer very well on a pinch. A very 
simple apparatus is shown in Fig. 34, which is es¬ 
pecially used in South America, where it is called 
the hatea. It is a round, funnel-like vessel of wood or 


Fig. 34. 



sheet iron about 18 inches in diameter with a de¬ 
pression in the center. Some of the sand is thrown 
in the pan and the latter submerged in running 
water, where it is revolved as rapidly as possible 
with the hand. All light particles, fine sand, etc., 
are carried away by the current of water and the 
centrifugal force, while the coarser material and the 
gold collect in the depression. The gold will be 
instantly recognized by “ an eye for color.” Where 
water can be had, a pan is the most efficient instru¬ 
ment a man can travel with in his gold-seeking 
journeys. 

A crude apparatus formerly much used in Cali¬ 
fornia and Austi*alia is called tlie cradle or rocker. 
This, as shown in Fig. 35, is a trough of some 7 





78 


pkospectok’s field-book and guide. 

feet in leiigtli and 2 broad. Across the bottom of 
this several bars are nailed at equal distances, and 
at the upper end a kind of sieve is fixed at about a 
foot above the bottom. This whole arrangement is 
mounted u})on rollers. To operate the apparatus 
four men ai’e required. One man digs out the 
earth from the hole, a second su})plies the cradle 


Fig. 35. 



sieve with this aniiferons earth, a third keeps up a 
supply of water which he ])Ours u})on the earth in 
the sieve, wliile a fourth keei)s the machine con- 
tinnally moving u})on the rollers. The lai*ge stones 
washed out are removed by hand from the sieve, 
and the water at the same time washes the smaller 
substance through, which is slowly carried towards 
the lower end of the trough by a slight inclination 
given to the whole. Tims the How of water tends 
to keep the earthy particles in suspension so as to 
































SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


79 


allow of their washing off, while the heavier por¬ 
tions of gold are obstructed in their flow, and re¬ 
tained against the cross bars fixed to the cradle 
bottom. These are removed from time to time and 
dried in the sun, when, after blowing away lighter 
particles, the metal only further requires to be 
melted. 

A more efficient apparatus is the long tom., Fig. 
36. This is a trough about 12 feet in length by 20 


Fig. 36. 




inches in width at the upper end, and widening to 
30 inches at the lower end. It is about 9 inches 
deep and has a fall of 1 inch to a foot. An iron 
screen is placed at the lower end (cut off in the 
manner shown in the illustration) where large 
stones are caught, and below this screen is the riffle 
box, 12 feet long, 3 feet wide and having the same 
inclination as the upper trough. It is fitted with 
several riffles in which mercury is sometimes placed. 
Much more work can be done with this appliance 
than with the cradle, which it has generally super¬ 
seded. Of course the gold must be coarse and water 
plentiful. 


























80 prospector's field-book and guide. 

Washing the gold dirt is also effected by sluices 
having an inclination of about 8 feet in 12 feet. 
These sluices consist of a series of troughs formed 
by planks nailed together, the length of each being 
about 10 or 12 feet, the height 8 inches to 2 feet, 
the width 1 to 4 feet. By making one end of the 
bottom plank of each trough 4 inches narrower than 
at the other, the troughs can be telescoped into one 
another and so a sluice of very great length can be 
formed. Across the inside of the bottom-planks, 
small narrow strips of wood 2 inches or so thick, 
and 3 or more inches wide, are fixed across, or 
sometimes at angles of 45° to the side of the trough, 
at short intervals apart. liunning water washes 
downward the earth thrown into the sluice, which 
is open on the top side, and the gold dust accumu¬ 
lates, sometimes assisted b}^ the aid of mercury 
allowed to trickle out of a vessel from riffle to riffle, 
in front of the bars, while the lighter matter is 
washed downwards. 

A still more effective method is wliat is called 
hydraulic mining, and under favorable circum¬ 
stances, such as a plentiful supply of water with 
good fall and extensive loose auriferous deposits, a 
very small amount of gold to the ton can be made 
to give paying returns. The water is conducted in 
flumes or pipes to a point near where it is required, 
thence in wrought-iron pipes gradually reduced in 
size and ending in a great nozzle somewhat like 
that of a fireman’s hose. Figs. 37 and 38 show the 
arrangement. Fig. 37 exhibits the mouth-piece 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 81 

movable at 4 5 in an ascending, and at (7 i) in an 
inclined direction. E is si lever loaded with 
weights, which hicilitates the adjustment of the 
mouth-piece in any direction by the operator. The 
method of operating the arrangement will be seen 
from Fig. 38. A is the water-distributor, B the 

Fig. 37. 



nozzle, C channels for carrying off the debris de¬ 
tached from the ledge, B piles of larger pieces of 
rock which are finally comminuted. T is a tunnel 
through which the water reaches the gutter, pro¬ 
vided with the grating F through which the finer 
stuff falls into the shallow settling basin E, and is 
distributed by blocks G, while the principal mass of 
water with the coarser material passes over the 
grating F into the principal sluice in which the 
grating H retains the larger pieces which are then 
thrown out at J. The basins E and the principal 
sluice are paved with wooden blocks or stones be¬ 
tween which mercury is placed. The amalgam 
6 







82 


PKOSPECTOK s fip:ld-book and guide. 


formed is freed from admixtures in a mercury bath, 
pressed through sail-clotli, boiled in sulphuric acid 
and distilled. 

For lode prospecting a pestle and mortar should be 
carried. The handiest for traveling is a mortar 
made from a mercury bottle cut in half, and a not 


Fig. 88. 



too heavy wrought iron pestle with a hardened face. 
To get the stuff to regulated fineness a fine screen is 
required, and the best for the prospectoi', who is 
often on the move, is made from a piece of cheese 
cloth stretched over a small hoop. It is often 











SrKClAJ. MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


S3 

desirable to lieat tlie rock liefore crushing’, as it is 
thus more easily triturated and will reveal all its 
gold. 1 Faying crushed the gangue to a fine })Owder 
proceed to pan it off in tlie same manner as washing 
out alluvial earth, excoj^t that in prospecting quartz 
one has to he mucli more ])articular, as the gold is 
usually finer. Take the pan in both hands and 
admit enough v'ater to cover the pulverized sub¬ 
stance by a few inches. The whole is then swirled 
around and the dirty water poured otf from time to 
time till the residue is clean quartz sand and heavy 
metal. Tlien tlie ])an is gently ti})ped and a side to 
side motion given to it, thus causing the heavier 
contents to settle down in the corner. Next the 
water is carefully lapjied in over the side, the jian 
being now tilted at a greater angle until the lighter 
particles are all Avashed away. The })an is tlien 
once more riglited and very little .water is a few 
times passed over the iiinch of heavy mineral, when 
the gold Avill he revealed in a streak along the 
liottom. In this oiieration, as in all others, only 
[iractice Avill make perfect, and a few practical 
lessons are worth whole pages of written instruction. 

.1. C. F. Johnson * gives the folloAving directions 
for making an amalgamating assay that will prove 
the amount of gold which can lie got from a ton ot 
a lode. Take a number of samples from dilferent 
parts, hotli length and lireadth. The drillings from 
the lilasting hoi*eholes collected make the best test. 

"(ietting (jlold,” JiOiulon, 18{)7, 


84 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Wlien finely triturated weigh off one or two pounds, 
])hice in a black iron pan (it must not be tinned) 
with 4 ounces of mercury, 4 ounces common salt, 4 
ounces soda, and about lialf a gallon of boiling water. 
Then with a stick, stir the pulp constantly, occasion¬ 
ally swirling the dish as in panning off, till you feel 
certain that every particle of the gangue has come 
in contact with the mercury. Then carefully pan 
off into another dish so as to lose no mercury. 
Having got your amalgam clean, squeeze it tlirougb 
a piece of chamois leatlier, though a good quality 
of new calico previously wetted will do as well. 
The resulting pill of hard amalgam can then be 
wrapped in a piece of brown paper, placed on an 


Fig. 39. 



old sliovel, and the mercury driven off over a hot 
fire. Or a clay tobacco pipe, tlie mouth being 
stopped with clay, makes a good retort. To make 
such a retort. Fig. 39, take two new tobacco pipes 
similar in sliape, with the biggest howls and longest 
stems procurable. Break off the stem of one close 
to the howl and fill tlie Imle witli well-worked clay. 
Set the stemless pipe on end in a clay lied, and fill 








SPECIAL MINER ALOG Y-G OL D. 


85 


with amalgam, pass a bit of thin iron or copper 
wire beneath it, and bend the ends of the wire 
upwards. Now bt the whole i)ipe, bowl inverted, 
on to the under one, luting the edges well with 
clay. Twist the wire over the top with a pair of 
nippers till the two bowls are fitted closely together, 
and you Have a retort that will stand any heat 
necessary to thoroughly distil mercury. The re¬ 
sidue, after the mercury has been driven off, will be 
retorted gold, which, on being weighed and the 
result multiplied by 2240 for 1 pound assay, or by 
1120 for 2 pounds, will give the amount of gold per 
ton which an ordinary battery might be expected to 
save. Thus 1 grain to the pound, 2240 pounds to 
the ton, would show that the stuff contained 4 
ounces, 13 pennyweights, 8 grains per ton. 

Although not strictly within the scope of this 
small book, the process of extracting gold from lode 
stuff and tailings by means of cyanide of potassium, 
which is now largely used, may be thus briefly 
described : It is chiefly applied to tailings, that is, 
crushed ore that has already passed over the amal¬ 
gamating and blanket tables. The tailings are 
placed in vats, and subjected to the action of solu¬ 
tions of cyanide of potassium of varying strengths 
down to 0.2 per cent. These dissolve the gold, 
which is leached from the tailings, passed through 
boxes in which it is precipitated either by means of 
zinc shavings, electricity, or other precipitant. The 
solution is made up to its former strength and 
passed again through fresh tailings. When the 


I’KOS.PECTOK’s field-book and (xUlDE. 


8 () 

tailings contain a quantity of decomposed pyrites, 
partly oxidized, the acidity caused by the free sul¬ 
phuric acid requires to be neutralized by an alkali, 
caustic soda being usually employed. 

When cleaning up,” the cyanide solution in the 
zinc precipitating boxes is replaced by clean water. 
After careful washing in the box, to cause all pure 
gold and zinc to fall to the bottom, the zinc shav¬ 
ings are taken out. The precipitates are then col¬ 
lected, and after calcination in a special furnace for 
the purpose of oxidizing the zinc, are smelted in the 
usual manner. 

Other forms and conditions. Beside in the 
condition of simple native gold, this metal is found, 
as previously mentioned, in intimate mixture with 
pyrite (iron sulphide). It does not seem to be a 
compound, but as we have said, a mixture or minute 
association. This seems evident from the fact that 
when the sulphur is removed from the pyrite and 
the iron rusts down, the gold particles appear with 
their own color and characteristics in cavities of 
various rocks, which, Avhen crushed or water-worn, 
release the particles or pieces to be washed down 
and mingled with sands and gravels of lower levels, 
or perhaps the beds and channels of rivers. This is 
‘‘ placer gold.” Where gold has not yet been thus 
released it is found in association with iron, and 
especially with quartz in veins. In some instances 
the gold in quartz is disseminated in particles so 
exceedingly fine as to require the lens to reveal it. 

Nevertheless quartz is not the only mineral 


SPECIAL MINERALOCY-GOLD. 


87 


which contains gold, although it is the world’s great 
paying source of gold. Some of the other minerals 
contain it. It is found in yellowish-wdiite, four-sided 
prisms, and in small white grains as large as a pea, 
and easily crumbles. In this condition the gold is 
amalgamated with quicksilver in the proportion of 
38 gold to 57 quicksilver, and is known as “gold 
amalgam.” It is very easily tested by heating 
upon a piece of charcoal by a blow-pipe, when the 
quicksilver volatilizes and the gold remains. 

Gold in paying quantities is found in numerous 
combinations, and must be discovered and extracted 
either chemically, by the “ wet method,” or by 
assaying in the crucible by means of the cupel and 
furnace, when it cannot be separated on the spot by 
the blow-pipe. These methods are taught in any 
book upon the assa}^ of gold. 

WHERE IS GOLD FOUND ? 

In studying the geologic aspect of this subject 
and making the practical ^ipplication of our knowl¬ 
edge to the search, we may state that the original 
position of gold must have been in great depths. 
From these depths it has been brought up by the 
upheaval of the granitic rocks, and perhaps, along 
with basaltic and other intrusions shot up from im¬ 
mense depths. In the course of ages the attrition 
and breaking down of these higher or uplifted levels, 
and the long-continued floods, rains and the waves 
of ancient oceans and other disintegrating forces 
whicli produced the sedimentary rocks, at the same 


88 prospector’s pteld-book and guide. 

time liberated the gold which was incapable of de¬ 
composition. The gold thus found new and varied 
resting places in the sedimentary rocks of various 
ages and in all the conditions which the surface 
might assume. 

The quartz rocks are neither igneous nor sedimen¬ 
tary, but are supposed to have been in liquid form 
as solutions of silex, which, during long periods of 
time, gradually deposited the silex and whatever 
they contciined, the water disappearing by evapora¬ 
tion or absorption. 

Frequently, cellular quartz has been found with 
gold within the cells, the material which surrounded 
the gold having become decomposed, and, thus re¬ 
leasing the undecomposed gold, the latter is found 
in the cells of the quartz. 

Gold, therefore, is to be expected and looked for 
in granitic regions (Fig. 40), and* in those rocks and 
from those gravels and sands which owe their origin 
to such regions. It requires much judgment, gen¬ 
eral exploration, and knowledge of the region before 
the prospector can, with probability, expect to meet 
with gold, or before he should begin the search. 
But with a full knowledge of the geologic condition 
of the country, and acting in accordance with the 
above facts, the prospector will soon come upon 
traces of gold, if any exist. 

In looking for indications, the prospector should 
never pass an ironstone “ blow out ” without ex¬ 
amination, as, according to the German aphorism, 
“the iron hat covers the golden head,” or as the 


SPECIAL MI N Ell A LOCi V-0 (J LD. 


89 


C'oniishman puts it, iron rides a good horse.” 
Tlie ironstone ontcro}) may cover a gold, silver, 
copper or tin lode. 

liesides the general instruction given above, con¬ 
siderable study should be given to the peculiar and 
seemingly irregular deposits of gold where it does 
not a|)pear to have been washed down from any 
higher levels. For instance, in California and some 
other districts free gold has been found in drifts and 
sand and in the beds of streams which have not 
only been filled np, but have been buried under 
regions of sandstone or other rocks, but the whole 
country apparently has been raised, or the sur¬ 
rounding region has sunk so as not to show any 
very considerable elevation beyond where the gojd 
deposits have been formed. But, even in this case. 

Fig. 40. 



Section showing the two conditions under u'hich gold is usually found in rock 

and drift. 

The Structure of the Ural Mountains, — a. Granitic and gneiss rocks 
penetrated with greenstones and porphyrytic rocks containing gold finely 
disseminated, b. Micaceous, talcose, and argillaceous slaty rocks, sni)posed 
to be Laiirentian and Cambrian, c. Silurian and Devonian strata, d. Car¬ 
boniferous, limestone and grits, e Coal measures. /. Permian and newer 
rocks. G, G, G, G. Drift, filling hollows in rocks with gold, especially at the 
base of the drift. 






90 


PKOSPEC'l'OKV FIELD-BOOK AND GL'IDE. 


the general rule has been shown to be correct, for 
these deposits have been proved to be in the beds 
or channels of ancient rivers, which had either been 
dried up and overflowed by vast eruptions of lava 
or basalt, and again by floods bringing new soil and 
creating sedimentary rock, or the country has been 
raised, or subsidence of a great extent of land has 
taken place. In many cases, however, no sub¬ 
sidence has occurred, but only overflow and filling 
up through ages, and the actual sources still remain 
elevated. 

Such events as we have just described do not 
transpire without leaving, in some parts, traces or 
features or material, which, to the practised eye of 
a skillful prospector, are evidences of some such 
movements and changes, and he may proceed to 
make a successful opening only after he has care¬ 
fully examined a large tract of country, for it is 
from extended survey that he may the more wisely 
judge of the relation of superficial parts to the 
greater depths of even small areas. 

Those rocks which lie more immediately over the 
granite, and which, although they owe their origin 
to a sedimentary condition, have been subjected to 
heat and heated waters, as is supposed, we have 
called metamorphic rocks.” But they have been, 
probably, first formed from the disintegration of the 
most ancient rocks, and have brought with them 
fragments of gold. These metamorphic rocks have 
been changed from ordinary sedimentary rock by 
the action of heat and by pressure, and the in- 


SPECIA K M I N ER A JX)(i Y UOLJ). 


91 


tluence of such treatnieiit may be suspected by their 
appearance as crystalline in their composition ; that 
is, the fine grains which compose them, as well as 
tlie larger grains, are angular, whereas the mater¬ 
ials of purely sedimentary rocks are tine without 
angular shape. The larger part of granite is sup¬ 
posed to have been metamorphic or changed, as the 
word means, or “ altered ” merely by tlie action of 
heat into a crystalline form or mass. 

The igneous rocks are those whose forms are due 
to having been melted and driven to the surface 
through fissures in the overlying rocks. They are 
variously composed of feldspar, hornblende, little 
quartz, with comparatively small proportions of 
otlier substances, and are called by various names 
according to the composition. The metamorphic 
granite contains quartz, feldspar, and mica; the 
igneous granite contains little or no quartz. Syenite- 
granite contains hornblende in place of mica. Some¬ 
times the mica is very black, as hornblende is, and 
in that case ma}" be distinguished from the latter 
by its more easy cleavage, as we have shown, under 
a sharp penknife; this black mica is the kind we 
have described as hiotite (p. 15). There is a syenite 
which contains no quartz, called hyposyenite. These 
rocks are not the original home of gold, but at pres¬ 
ent it is ver}^ largely in these metamorphic rocks 
that the most paying gold is to be found, more 
especially in the quartz veins which have intersected 
these rocks. One, 'therefore, of the most important 
studies of the prospector is to acquaint himself 


92 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

familiarly with the ap})earance, the locations, and 
the departures of these metamorpliic rocks. In 
many places where the alluvial gold, derived from 
the gold-bearing gravels, has almost ceased to be 
worth working, there Btill remain sources undis¬ 
covered, and these sources may probably be traced 
back even yet to some out-crop or to some ancient 
elevation now having subsided. 

The above remarks are applicable to explorations 
for other metallic ores than gold. They apply to 
silver, and especially to tin ores, and with some 
modifications to copper ores and to quicksilver, as 
we shall show. 

Gold in combination. We have been speaking 
of gold as native and alone. But it must not be 
thought that this condition is the only one in which 
paying gold is found. The combinations of gold 
with various oxides and sulphides of other metals 
are very valuable, and should be studied. 

In almost all gold-bearing regions the iron sul¬ 
phides carry much gold, and in some regions the 
paying gold is found only in this substance. Hence, 
it is well for the prospector to determine the presence 
of gold in the pyrite or whatever sulphide may pre¬ 
sent itself. We, therefore, state a method or two of 
determining the fact that gold exists in this sub¬ 
stance. 

1. To separate gold in metallic sulphides, for in¬ 
stance, iron pyrites. Powder the sulphide as finely 
as possible. Put about an ounce into a Hessian 
crucible and heat to a very low red heat for an 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 93 

hour, or until there is very little escape of sulphur 
fumes. Remove the crucible and put its contents 
into a porcelain dish. Pour over the roasted pow¬ 
der three fluidounces of strong nitric acid, by drops, 
until all violent action ceases. Add water, 8 or 10 
fluidounces; the gold, if any, will appear as a very 
fine black powder; filter and dry, pick out a small 
particle of the powder and mash it upon a hard 
surface, iron or agate, in an agate mortar; if it is 
gold, it will show the gold color. A sufficient 
quantity of the dried powder may be placed upon 
a piece of charcoal, and by means of either 0 or I 
flame of the blow-pipe it may be melted, and both 
by its color and softness be proved to be gold. 

There is difficulty in this process which the 
prospector may not be able easily to overcome, and 
that is the necessity of using the strongest nitric acid. 
If he has a little laboratory he may readily make 
his own nitric acid of sufficient power, and then he 
possesses the simplest and quickest method of treat¬ 
ing suljihides or any gold-hearing pyrites. The 
process is as follows: This acid may be made from 
common saltpetre and sulphuric acid of commerce. 
Dry the saltpetre after breaking it into small lumps 
of a half inch in diameter, carefully drop the lumps 
into a glass retort, hang the retort on a wire or 
stand, and introduce the beak into a glass bottle. 
Place the bottle in a basin of cold water and you 
may now apply the heat of a lamp, keeping the 
flame low and five or six indies off from the bottom 
of the retort. A coal oil lamp with a sliort chimney 


04 PROSrECTOK’s FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


may be used, and the heat regulated to a point at 
wliicli hrownisli vapors a})})ear in the retort. Keep 
enough acid in tlie retort to Ixirely cover tlie salt¬ 
petre, and keep cool water in tlie basin, and the 
vapors come over and condense without much 
trouble. 

Stop the operation when the vapors cease to come 
over and the mass in the retort seems to settle down 
to an even surface. 44ien draw out the beak of the 
retort and put the glass stopper into the bottle, and 
keep the bottle away from light and heat. Wash 
out the retort, and if you require more nitric acid 
renew the ojieration. The retort should he tubu¬ 
lated to allow of adding suljihuric acid during the 
operation if needed. 

This acid is a yellowish-brown liipiid and is 
known as “ fuming nitric acid,” and is one of tliose 
very active and convenient aids in the laboratory 
whicli cannot readily lie purchased, and, therefore, 
must generally he made, hut so little of it may he 
used that a small quantity goes a great way, and it 
will effect a result which the strongest and purest 
chemically-i)U]*e nitric acid fails to jiroduce. Its 
effect is to release the gold from the combination of 
iron and sulphur by oxidizing the latter as well as 
the former, and rendering them soluble in water, 
while the gold remains in metallic form of an ex¬ 
ceedingly fine Idack powder, as we have said. 

. *2. Another method of detecting and separating 
the gold, where the above method cannot he used, is 
by pulverizing the sulphide ore very finely and mix- 


S FECIAL MI NEKA J A)G Y-GOLD. 


95 


ing it with three or four times its weight of caustic 
potash or caustic soda, *and then subjecting the 
crucible, which contains the mixture, to a low red 
heat till all the contents cease agitation and become 
perfectly tranquil. Then remove the crucible, wait 
till all is cool, and then add hydrochloric (muriatic) 
acid in an amount equal to three or four times the 
bulk of the mass. To this, after standing three or 
four hours in a warm place, add the usual nitric 
acid (about an ounce), after transferring all the 
liquid to a porcelian dish, or, next best, to a beaker- 
glass. Let it stand in a warm place for about an 
hour, tlien add a little more nitric acid (about 
half ounce), stir it well with a glass rod or strip 
of glass, and let it stand again for an hour or two. 
Examine carefully, and if it seems to have been 
dissolved more thoroughly than before, add a little 
more nitric acid and warm again, stirring well as 
before. If no more seems to be dissolved, then filter 
and wash the sediment in the filter and let it dry, 
and remove the filter and contents for further ex¬ 
amination. Now precipitate the gold from the fil¬ 
trate by i)Ouring into it a solution of ferrous 
sulphate. [Any clear green crystals of “ copperas ” 
(sulphate of iron) of the drug store, filtered, aftei- 
saturated solution in clean rain-water and kept in 
corked bottles, will answer this purpose.] Let the 
solution stand in a warm place for an hour, drop in 
a few more drops, and if any further precipitation 
takes ])lace, add half an ounce of the sulphate, stir 
it again, let it remain an hour longer in a warm 


1)G 


PROSPECTOR S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE, 


})lace till all precipitation ceases. Decant the 
supernatant clear water and transfer the remainder 
to a filter-paper carefully, and a little at a time, to 
avoid breaking the filter-paper, then rinse the 
porcelain dish to get all particles upon the filter- 
l)aper, and, when all the liquid has })assed through, 
let it dry and remove all the contents of the paper 
to a small porcelain capsule or crucible, and apply 
the heat of the hlow-pipe to burn off the ])aper or 
any organic substance which may have got into the 
})owder; the gold remains, which may he gathered 
upon charcoal and melted into a globule by the con¬ 
centrated liame of the hlow-pipe, if in small quan¬ 
tity. Lastly, examine the contents of the filter 
Avhicli was laid aside; and, if any appearance of 
gold is noted, separate it under examination by a 
pocket lens. 

The high value of gold renders even a grain of 
gold to the ounce of ore, if that ounce is an average 
ounce in the ton, Avorth $80 to the ton, of 2000 
pounds. Hence, a pyrites which contains a half 
grain to the half ounce may prove too valuable to 
neglect. In the Brazils, in deep mines, the ore 
yields only half an ounce to the ton of ore, and yet 
it is mined at a profit.* In California, a continuous 
yield of three-eighths to half an ounce of gold to 
tlie ton of quartz is considered profitable working, f 

ft must be remendiered, however, that the above 
process of extracting the gold from pyritous ore 

*Makiiis’ ]\Ietallurj>:y, p. 2127. 

t Davies’ Metalliferous Minerals and Mininji:, p. 54. 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


97 


does not extract with perfect accuracy all the gold 
unless conducted with more care and time than we 
have suggested, but it is sufficient to reveal the fact 
that the ore is valuable. 

3. The following method requires more time and 
care and the use of a little furnace, but will give 
very accurate results. Pulverize the ore supposed 
to contain any gold, whether pyritous or not. Heat 
it in a crucible very gradually at first, increasing 
the heat to drive off as much sulphur as possible, 
frequently stirring it and increasing the heat till 
all fumes seem to have escaped. Withdraw it and 
prepare a crucible (clay or Hessian crucible), by 
dipping it in a strong solution of borax in water, 
and heating the crucible and repeating the dipping 
and heating till the crucible shows a glazed inside. 
Then transfer all the roasted powdered ore, after 
weighing it (if you desire relative, quantity), into 
the crucible, and cover it with the following mixture 
(called a flux): Six times the weight of ore in lith¬ 
arge, one of dry borax, and about twenty grains of 
charcoal pulverized. Heat slowly at first, not al¬ 
lowing much foaming, until all is quiet and the 
metal button settles down at the bottom of the 
crucible. Cool and break the crucible to extract 
the button of metal, which is now ready for cupel¬ 
ling. {For this process, see p. 08.) 

We have given these three methods of separating 
gold from all the usual ores, any one of which may 
readily be used, and a little practice will enable the 
operator to be expert iiHtheir use. A great deal 
7 


98 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

more depends upon the skill of the operator than 
upon the cost of his appliances. 

IN REVIEW WITH ADDITIONAL REMARKS. 

AVe have not thought it important to give a list 
of places in the world where gold has been found. 
Our object is to indicate where gold may be found, 
and in the search derive some aid from observing 
the conditions in which gold has already been found. 
From what has been said, it is plain that gold is 
primarily to be found in the oldest rock, and those 
rocks which are thrown up as dykes and which have 
been shot up through other rocks by subterranean 
forces. But while this is the primary origin or 
source, so far as observation goes, or science suggests, 
yet another source of native gold exists in the al¬ 
luvial or drift of all countries, having been derived 
through disintegration from its primary condition : 
and not only in the disintegrated drift and loose 
material carried down streams or in the rush of 
floods, but also spread over the plains, or floors of 
ancient seas, which during the past ages have been 
consolidated into rock or slate, and hence, as we 
have said, it is found in the metamorphic rock or 
shales and schists. And yet there is one more im¬ 
portant source which the prospector has always to 
keep in memory, and that is, the auriferous quartz, 
which, as has been stated, is not an igneous or meta¬ 
morphic rock, nor yet it is of sedimentary origin or 
nature, but, as supposed, the great ancient solvent 
of the finer particles scattered over the rocks, and 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


99 


because of great heat and pressure, forced into fis¬ 
sures and cracks, and there, through some chemical 
or physical cause, precipitating its gold, it has 
solidified. 

The practical drift of these theories will lead 
the prospector to expect that in the streams bearing 
gold the sources of gold are to be sought at the heads 
of the streams. He will pay special attention to the 
immediate vicinity of angles and bends and forks of 
the stream, and especially to rough portions, such as 
cataracts and falls. He will also study the courses 
of ancient river beds, especially where ancient pits 
and recesses have been filled by overflowing lava or 
covered over, as where plains have been formed by 
volcanic rocks over auriferous channels and valleys. 

Where the sources of auriferous sands lead up to 
chains of hills or mountains of granite or metamor- 
phic slates or rocks, the search should be for quartz 
reefs or outcrops along the strike, or line of ridges, 
or their serrated edges. 

It sometimes happens that along such outcrops 
or reefs rusty or brown quartz fragments are found. 
These fragments frequently contain gold, sometimes 
in minute quantities and sometimes so discolored by 
the pyrites, which have become weather-changed, as 
to deceive one who is unaware of this peculiarity. . 

This fact is important to keep in memory, for 
some of the most valuable gold deposits have been 
developed beneath just such outcrops, or lower down 
in the quartz the deposits have proved to be rich. 

Another fact should be remembered, that with 


100 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

the modern crushing machinery which has been 
brought into use, together with the use of chlorine 
under pressure * to dissolve gold, it is quite possible 
to use quartz with finely disseminated particles and 
make it pay remarkably well, when such quartz 
may contain gold in such minute dissemination as 
scarcely to be visible under the lens. When, there¬ 
fore, such quartz is found, it must not be supposed 
to be too poor to be profitable, but be preserved and 
the place of its origin noted for future examination. 

Phillips gives the following rule for ascertaining 
the amount of gold in a lump of auriferous quartz : 

The specific gravity of gold is 19.000. 

The specific gravity of quartz is 2.600. 

These numbers are given here merely for conven¬ 
ience in explaining the rule ; they do not accurately 
represent the specific gravities of all quartz and 
quartz gold. (The quartz gold of California has 
not, on an average, a specific gravity of more than 
18.600.) 

1. Ascertain the specific gravity of the lump. 
Suppose it to be 8.067. 

2. Deduct the specific gravity of the lump from 
the specific gravity of the gold ; the difference is 
the ratio of the quartz by volume : 19.000—8.067 
f=10.933. 

3. Deduct the specific gravity of the quartz from 
the specific gravity of the lump; the difference is 
the ratio of the gold by volume: 8.067—2.600= 
5.467. 


* As in the Newbury-Vautin process. 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


101 


4. Add these ratios together and proceed by the 
rule of proportion. The product is tlie percentage 
of gold by bulk: 10.933+5.467-16.400. Then, 
as 16.400 is to 5.467, so is 100 to 33.35. 

5. Multiply the percentage of gold in bulk by its 
specific gravity. The product is the ratio of the 
gold in the lump by weight: 33.35x19.00—643.65. 

6. Multiply the percentage of quartz by bulk 
(which must be 66.65, since that of gold is 33.35) 
by its specific gravity. The product is the ratio of 
the quartz in the lump by weight: 66.65x2.60— 
173.29. 

7. To find the percentage, add these two ratios 
together and proceed by the rule of proportion: 
633.65+173.29=806.94. Then, as 806.94 is to 
633.65, so is 100 to 78.53. Hence, a lump of aurif¬ 
erous quartz having a specific gravity of 8.069, con¬ 
tains 78.53 per cent, of gold by weight. (The 
Mines, Miners, and Mining Interests of the United 
States in 1882, by Win. Ralston Batch, Phila., p. 
761.) 


CHAPTER VL 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 

Platinum occurs native and in flattened or 
angular grains or nuggets which are malleable. Its 
color and streak are steel-gray. Lustre metallic 
bright. Isometric, but is seldom found in crystals. 
Hardness 4 to 4.5. Specific gravity 16 to 19. As 
heavy as gold, and, therefore, easily distinguished 
and separated from lighter materials. Before the 
l)low-pipe it is infusible; not affected by borax, ex¬ 
cept as containing some metal, as iron or copper, 
which gives the reaction. Soluble onl}^ in heated 
nitro-muriatic acid. 

Platinum is occasionally found in the gold-bear¬ 
ing gravels of California and Oregon, but the an¬ 
nual production is small. There are no means of 
knowing whether it is present in sufficient abund¬ 
ance for separate mining. The prospectors, as a 
rule, do not know the value of the black sand, nor 
are they always able to distinguish it from less 
valuable ores ; and it is, therefore, not unlikely that 
deposits may yet be found. 

The supply of platinum comes chiefly from Rus¬ 
sia, where it occurs in gravels, probably originally 
auriferous, on the Siberian side of the Ural. Since 
( 102 1 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 103 

serpentine is usually near at hand, and the placers 
increase in richness as the rock is approached, and 
since the metal has been found in this rock, it 
seems probable that this is the source. This mode 
of occurrence of platinum and the association with 
serpentiferous rocks prevails also in other platinum- 
producing regions. Platinum is always alloyed 
with the other metals of the platinum group, irid¬ 
ium, osmium, palladium, etc., and with iron, the 
amount of platinum varying from 50 to 80 per cent. 
In Russia, as well as in other platinum-producing 
regions, chrome iron and iridosmium are associated 
with the metal. The United States now consumes 
more platinum than any other country, incandes¬ 
cent electric lamps and other electric apparatus 
calling for a great supply. Although only a very 
minute quantity is required in each case, so many 
lamps are called for that the demand is very great, 
and the price has risen much higher than formerly. 
It may be interesting to note that the name plati¬ 
num is derived from plata, the Spanish word for 
silver, since it was regarded in South America at 
the time of its discovery (1735) as an impure ore of 
that metal. 

Platinum, like gold, does not readily combine 
with other elements, and in nature the only com¬ 
pound known is an arsenide called Sperrylite, which 
is found in very small quantities in the Sudbury 
section of Ontario, Canada. Its color is tin-white; 
lustre bright; hardness about 7 ; specific gravity 
10 . 6 . 


104 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Platiimni may be distinguished by its great 
weight, l)y its gray color, its sectile nature, and b}" 
the fact that it will not dissolve in any simple acid, 
and with difficulty in nitro-muriatic acid (aqua- 
regia). It may be distinguished from lead by its 
action under the blowpipe flame, since lead melts 
immediately, leaving a yellowish coating, while 
platinum refuses to melt under the hottest flame, 
and leaves no coating whatever. When it exists in 
the alluvial soil it may be‘‘panned out” just as 
gold or other heavy metals, and even more easily 
because of its greater gravity. 

It may be found in some metal-bearing veins in 
crystalline metamorphic and syenite rock, from 
which it has been washed down just as in the case 
of gold. In the latter condition it has been found 
more extensively than in any other. 

Its chemical test is as follows : Dissolve the grains 
of the ore in nitro-muriatic acid (4 parts muriatic 
acid to 1 part nitric), preferably with gentle heat, 
add proto-chloride of tin (solution) also called stan¬ 
nous chloride (SnC^); if platinum is present a 
dark brownish-red color will be produced, but no 
precipitate. 

The metal may be obtained separate from its gold, 
and in the presence of man}^ other metals, by evap¬ 
orating the above solution of the ore in a porcelain 
dish to dryness, at a gentle heat with ammonium 
chloride (sal ammoniac or muriate of ammonia), 
and the . residue treated with dilute alcohol (one- 
fourth part water). The gold will remain in solu- 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


105 


tion and the platinum be precipitated, the precipi¬ 
tate to be ignited when the platinum will be pure. 
The gold, if present, may be precipitated by adding 
a solution of ferrous sulphate, after evaporating off 
the alcohol. Ferrous sulphate is proto-sulphate of 
iron (copperas in crystals). 

Stannous chloride may readily be purchased at 
any chemist’s warehouse, but as it is easily pre¬ 
pared we give the best method as follows: File a 
piece of tin into powder and heat very hot (nearly 
to boiling) with strong hydrochloric acid in a porce¬ 
lain dish or beaker-glass, always keeping tin in the 
glass or dish, by adding tin if necessary. When no 
hydrogen gas is evolved {i. e. no bubbles arise), 
dilute with four times its bulk of pure water, 
slightly acidulated with hydrochloric (muriatic) 
acid, and filter. Keep the filtrate in a well-stop- 
pered bottle in which some tin has been placed. If 
you have pure tin-foil, that form of tin may be 
used, for without the presence of metallic tin the 
stannous chloride (SnCl 2 ) is in danger of changing 
into stannic chloride (SnCl^) with precipitation of 
a white substance (oxychloride of tin), which ren¬ 
ders the reagent unfit for use. 

Iridium, a steel-white, extremely hard metal, 
next in specific gravity to osmium, is supplied 
partly from its alloy with native platinum, and 
partly from the iridosmium which occurs in the 
platiniferous gravels. It is used for pen points and 
in jewelry, and recently in metal-plating. 

Osmium is the heaviest known metal. It comes 


106 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

from tlie same sources as iridium, and in the form 
of iridosmium is used for pointing tools and pens. 

Palladium is a brilliant silver-white metal. It 
also occurs with platinum, but on account of its 
high price is but little used. 

Silver. This metal occurs native in various 
shapes, as in small grains in the rock, as branching 
and leaf-like, and also in small octahedral crystals 
and in other forms. Hardness, 2.3 to 3 ; specific 
gravity, 10.1 to 11.1, according to its purity. It is 
never found absolutely pure, but contains some 
gold and frequently a little copper. 

It is always sectile and malleable, and in this re¬ 
spect very easily distinguished from a substance 
frequently mistaken for native silver, namely, mis- 
jyickel, which is an arsenide of iron, having very 
much the appearance of silver, but always brittle. 

Before the Blow-pipe, on charcoal, native 
silver is distinguished from tin, zinc, antimony, or 
bismuth, by the fact that it melts and leaves no 
whiteness or any other appearance of oxide upon 
the coal around the globule. 

Tin will leave a white film and lead a yellow ; 
zinc a yellow which whitens on cooling. But silver 
leaves no film or cloud of any kind upon the coal. 

The Chemical Test of silver is as follows : Dis¬ 
solve the metal in nitric acid in a test-tube, prefer¬ 
ably with the heat of an alcohol fiame, but not to 
the boiling point. Add an equal amount of pure 
water (clear rain water will answer), then drop in 
several drops of a solution of common table salt (or 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


107 


muriatic acid). If a cloudy white precipitate occurs 
which settles and blackens after exposure, of a few 
seconds to sunlight Or a few minutes to daylight, 
the substance is silver. 

It should be remembered at this ])oint, that tins 
test is for silver alone, since lead and mercur\" are 
also precipitated as a white cloud by the same solu¬ 
tion, but neither blackens by exposure to the light. 
This distinguishes silver. If, however, further proof 
is needed, drop into the test tube strong ammonia 
water; the i)recipitate is dissolved if it is that of 
silver, it is not if it be of lead, and it is blackened 
by the ammonia if it is mercury. 

If there is much copper in the silver it may be 
detected by dipping a clean strip of polished iron 
or steel into the solution, for the metallic coppei* 
will immediately appear upon the surface of the 
iron. 

It must not always be supposed that native silver 
is metallic or white in appearance, for it is readily 
tarnished by sulphur, and the proximity of sulphur 
in other minerals or in water may greatly discolor 
the native silver. 

Comparatively speaking, very little of the silver 
of the mines is derived from native silver. Most of 
the silver of commerce is obtained from some of the 
minerals named below, which are combinations of 
silver with other metals, and with sulphur or chlor¬ 
ine, as sulphides of silver, etc., in which condition 
they bear no resemblance to native silver. 

But in all silver minerals of any commercial 


108 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

value, the already mentioned tests are usually suf- 
ticient to detect the existence of silver. 

Other forms in whicli silver is found are— 

Silver Sulphides are very largely associated 
with lead sulphides or galena, and sometimes called, 
when pure, silver glance or argentite. This is found 
in masses, but when crystallized it occurs in cubes 
or octahedral forms. When freshly broken it has 
a metallic lustre, otherwise it is of a dull gray or 
leaden appearance. It is sectile, and its “streak” 
or the color of its powder is the same as that of the 
mineral itself, and rather shining. Chemical com¬ 
position : silver 87; sulphur 13. Hardness 2 to 2.5. 
Specific gravity 7.1 to 7.4. 

The ore is soluble in nitric acid, and on adding 
common salt to the solution a white curd is thrown 
down which blackens on exposure to sunlight. It 
is very fusible, giving off an odor of sulplmr when 
heated. Before the blow-pipe on charcoal, with or 
witliout carbonate of soda, it yields a white globule 
of metallic silver which can be flattened under a 
hammer. 

The ore occurs in veins in granite, porphyry, and 
slate, with arsenic, silver and lead ores. 

Horn Silver {Cerargyrite is the mineralogical 
name). The mineral known under these names is 
a chloride of silver occurring in massive form and 
sometimes in crystals. It has a resinous lustre and 
yields a shining streak. It is translucent on the 
extreme edges, and has a waxy appearance. It cuts 
like horn or wax, and on an outcrop looks like dirty 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


109 


cement. It contains 75.3 per cent, silver, and 24.7 
per cent, chlorine when iinmixed or nearly pure, 
and then has a pearly-gray or greenish-gray appear¬ 
ance. 

A polished piece of iron may be slightly coated 
with silver if a piece of horn silver is moistened and 
rubbed upon the iron. 

Horn silver is very easily fusible, it melting in 
the flame of a candle. Heated with carbonate of 
soda on charcoal, it yields a globule of metallic 
silver. 

This mineral, in various degrees of impurity, 
forms a very large part of the silver-bearing ores of 
some mines in South America, as well as in the 
Western States and Territories of the United States. 
It is a valuable ore. 

Brittle Silver Ore (Stephanite is the minera- 
logical name) is a silvei' sulphide with antimony, and 
is found in masses and sometimes in rhombic prism 
crystals. It is easily distinguished from silver sul¬ 
phide (or glance) by the fact that it is brittle, while 
the glance, if fairly pure, may be cut with a knife 
in chips without breaking. 

This ore is black or iron gray, has a hardness of 
2 to 2.5 and a specific gravity of 6.2 to 6.3, and 
when pure, contains 71 per cent, of silver, the rest 
being antimony with some other admixtures, usu¬ 
ally iron or copper. It is an abundant silver ore in 
the Comstock Lode, Nevada; (Figs. 41, 42), in the 
Reese River and Humboldt and other regions, and 
at the silver mines in Idaho. 


110 prsopector’s field-book and guide. 

On charcoal, under the blow-pipe, it decrepitates 
and coats the coal Avith a film of antimony (anti- 
monous acid), which, after considerable blowing, 
turns red, and a globule of silver is obtained. 

Red Silver Ore, or Ruby Silver, is an ore 
which contains arsenic and antimony, or more usu¬ 
ally arsenic or antimony. That containing only 
antimony is a dark red and is knoAvn mineralogic- 
ally as Pyrargyrite ; it contains 59.8 per cent, 
silver, 17.7 per cent, sulphur, and 22.5 per cent, of 
antimony. It occurs generally in crystals. When 
the silver sulphide is associated with arsenic only, 
the color is light red and the name Proustite is 
applied to it. It contains 65.5 per cent, of silver. 
It may contain both arsenic and antimony, and 
have a grayish appearance. In Idaho, it has been 
found in masses of several hundred pounds weight, 
at Poorman Lode (Dana). In Mexico it is Avorked 
extensively as an ore of silver. 

Rromic Silver or Bromyrite. This is a com¬ 
mon ore containing bromine 42.6 per cent, and sil- 
A^er 57.4 per cent. 

There are other minerals in AARich silver occurs, 
but they are only exceptions or rare, and if one is 
acquainted Avith those mentioned above, he aauII 
very likely detect the rarer silver minerals AAdiich 
are not ores in the usual sense, but they may lead 
AAdien discovered to valuable results. 

Geology of Silver Ores. The most valuable 
ores occur in the earlier or more ancient rocks, such 
as the granitic or gneissoid rocks, clay slates, mica 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


Ill 


schists, older limestones, and in the metamorphic 
rocks. The remarkable geologic conditions under 
which silver ores and veins occur may be under¬ 
stood more readily by the following diagrams than 
b}^ any descriptions without them. (Figs. 41 and 42.) 

In the diagrams the rocks are seen tilted up from 
the horizontal position to one nearly vertical, but 
evidently after this uplifting the trachytic dykes 
were shot through the masses of conglomerate. 
The lodes bearing silver are represented by contin¬ 
uous double lines, and the dykes by dotted vertical 
lines. The entire distance represented from Sutro 
to the west end of the diagram is about miles, 
on a course east and west, being the same as that of 
the Sutro tunnel upon this branch, which joins or 
intersects to the north and south branch of the 
tunnel at the Comstock lode. 

In order that the superficial nature of the country 
may be understood, we have given the north and 
south section of the same region, showing some of 
the mines by vertical black lines and by shaded 
spaces where the mines have been worked more or 
less extensively. (Fig. 42.) 

The north and south section exhibits the hilly 
surface, and fully illustrates the work of the pros¬ 
pector who would become acquainted with the min¬ 
eral deposits of a similar region. 

It will be seen in the east and west section that 
all the lodes outcrop. (Fig. 41.) The non-metallic 
substances of these lodes are quartz, fluorspar, with, 
perhaps, some chlorides or sulphides ; the latter may 


MouritDavidson 7827/t. 
, above the sed level 


112 prospector’s field-book and guide. 



SECTION ACROSS THE COMSTOCK LODE AND SURROUNDING STRATA, EAST AND WEST. 













































PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


113 


be metallic, and there may occur some traces of 
gold and silver, perhaps also of antimony, lead, etc. 
The wisest course, therefore, is for the prospector, 
after having settled in which direction the strike or 
course of the strata runs, to make an examination 
directly across the strata, the chief object being to 
learn the nature of the rocks of the region, and, at 
the same time, to detect the outcropping of any 
lodes or dykes. 

IIis object is to become acquainted with the strata 
by means of the loose material, the fragments, or 
small outcropping rocks, where he cannot penetrate 
beneath the soil. 

It may become necessary to traverse a great dis¬ 
tance before any certain information may be gained, 
and where the hill surfaces are covered with soil, 
the ravines will frequently disclose the nature of the 
rock. 

It will be noticed that the Comstock Lode begins 
immediately adjoining the syenite rock, and at the 
outcrop extends six or eight times the actual thick¬ 
ness of the lode below. It is also apparent that the 
lodes generally, at least in this region, bifurcate 
near the surface, even in the syenite, and when an 
outcrop has been discovered, the probability is that 
not far off another outcrop of the same lode may be 
found (Fig. 41). 

The Comstock Lode has been traced for four or 
five miles nortli and soutli, but the values of the 
deposits are not uniform. The great bodies of 
ore may be seen in the north and south section 
8 


114 prospector’s field-book and guide 



NOKTH AND SOUTH SECTION OF THE COMSTOCK LODE, SHOWING THE MINES AND THE SUKFACE. 


















































PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


115 


where the excavations are largest, as around the 
Savage, and from the Exchequer to the Crown 
Point properties. But this whole region is filled 
with dykes and lodes for miles beyond the Comstock 
Lode, which lies on the eastern slope of a range of 
hills running somewhat parallel, but about fifteen 
miles east of the great Sierra Nevada range, south 
of the Pacific Railroad, and between the lakes 
Bigler and Carson in the western part of the State. 

In the east of Nevada, at the Eureka Mines, the 
ores are found in a bed of limestone overlying the 
granites, quartzose slates, and metamorphic rocks of 
great thickness. The limestone containing the ore 
is about 300 feet thick. But while the immediate 
geology varies from that of the Comstock, the general 
facts are the same, namely, that the silver-bearing 
lodes are in or very near the granites or earliest 
rocks. In this case the overlying rocks, though 
limestone, are dolomitic, containing from 36 to 46 
per cent, of carbonate of magnesia, and the min¬ 
eralized belt of limestone, or that containing the 
ores, is very much broken, and in some places ap¬ 
parently crushed, as if it had been subjected to a 
grinding process, and then partly rejoined by the 
cementing power of calcareous matter deposited 
from solution in percolating water. 

A peculiarity in this last described limestone is 
found in the large caverns which occur along the 
course of mineral deposit. On the floors of these 
caverns are found beds of ore which seem to have 
dropped from their position in the limestone, as 


116 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

that has been dissolved out and carried off where 
the fissures easily permitted the percolating waters 
to pass rapidly away. 

The geology of this region appears to be in the 
order of granites, quartzose slates, and metamorphic 
rocks of great thickness, limestones containing segre¬ 
gations of ore, calcareous shales, and these sur¬ 
mounted by limestones also of great thickness. The 
special region to which this geological series refers 
is in the Ruby Hill mines. 

The Emma Mine, with many others, is situated 
still further east, in the Wahsatch range of moun¬ 
tains, which runs north and south about twenty 
miles east of the Great Salt Lake. This mine is 
about the same distance southeast of the Great Salt 
Lake. The adjacent rocks of this mine are granite, 
in massive beds dipping from 50° to 70° eastward. 
Tins is overlaid by quartzites of a reddish color, 
then occurs a series of slates, upon which are thick 
beds of white limestone, and these pass rapidly into 
the carboniferous dolomitic limestone. It is in 
these last limestones that the ore deposits of the 
Emma and adjacent mines are worked. 

It is a fact, however, that the ores are mainly 
silica and lead, of which there is over 70 per cent. 
The amount of silver is about 0.40 to 0.50 of 1 per 
cent, according to some analyses. A sample amount 
of 82 tons, gross, yielded 156 ounces of silver. 

These three mining districts present the general 
geologic conditions in which the silver ores are 
found in these and other States and Territories, and 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


117 


the prospector should expect to find surface indica¬ 
tions accordingly, but modified more or less by ex¬ 
posure to weather. 

Although, from the preceding illustrations, silver 
is shown to be found both in the very early groups 
of rocks and in the carboniferous limestone, the 
latter is the exception, but appears to be found in 
the latter only when that limestone has occurred 
with little or no separating horizons from the earl¬ 
iest rocks. 


CHAPTER VII. 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 

Copper. It occurs both native and in a compound 
state. Native copper is found in various shapes, 
and even in octahedral cr 3 ^stals. Its color is copper 
red; it is always sectile and malleable; hardness 
2.5 to 3, specific gravity 8.5 to 8.9, according to 
purity. Frequentl}^ associated with native silver. 
It is tested by the hlow-pipe; giving in small quan¬ 
tities blue tinge to almost black in the borax bead, 
according to quantity used, and the kind of flame, 
whether inner or R, or outer or 0, the latter giving 
blue color, the former giving the copper color or 
metallic opaque brown. 

Chemically, it dissolves readily in nitric acid, and, 
if ammonia be added, the solution becomes green, 
or greenish-blue if ammonia be in excess. 

In the absence of an^^ chemicals or a blow-pipe, 
the mineral, when containing native copper, or 
when onl}-^ a compound containing copper, may be 
tested by heating it either in the mass, or, better, in 
powder, and when hot dropping it into some salty 
grease and then putting it in a flame or upon burn¬ 
ing charcoal, when the characteristic green color 
will appear in the flame with great distinctness. 

(118) 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 119 

Moreover, if the mineral contains copper in con¬ 
siderable quantity and it is dissolved in nitric acid, 
the copper will be deposited immediately upon a 
strip of polished iron or upon the end of a knife- 
blade, if either be dipped into the solution. 

Various minerals contain copper, but many in so 
small proportions that it would not be lucrative to 
work them as ores. We mention several of the 
more important ores of copper, and also some copper 
minerals, which, to the prospector, will be suggestive 
that the more important ores are not far off. 

Red copper ore or ruby copper {Cuprite is the 
mineralogical name): Occurs massive, granular, and 
earthy ; brittle ; if in crystals, octahedral and twelve¬ 
sided ; nearl}^ opaque; deep red or ruby colored, 
sometimes weathered to an iron-gray on the surface ; 
hardness 3.5 to 4 ; specific gravity 8. Composed of 
copper 88.78 per cent., the remainder oxygen when 
pure. 

Before the blow-pipe, on charcoal, it yields a 
globule of metallic copper; with borax bead gives 
the indications of copper. It forms a blue solution 
in nitric acid. These tests distinguish it from red 
oxide of iron. It occurs in granite and slate with 
copper ores and galena, and forms a valuable source 
of the metal. 

Copper Glance or Vitreous Copper {Chalcocite 
is the mineralogical name)—massive—slightly sec- 
tile ; color blackish-gray, tarnishing to blue or green. 
Hardness 2.5-3; specific gravity 5.5-5.8. Com¬ 
posed of copper 77.2; sulphur 20.6, and sometimes 
of a little iron. It is fusible in a candle flame. 


120 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

Before the blow-pipe it gives off an odor of sul¬ 
phur. When heated on charcoal, a malleable 
globule of metallic copper remains, tarnished black, 
but rendered evident on flattening under a hammer. 
With borax bead it gives the indications of copper. 
Dissolves in nitric acid, forming a blue solution. 
These tests distinguish it from sulphide of silver. 
Occurs with other copper-ores. 

Gray Copper {Tetrahedrite is the mineralogical 
name): brittle ; steel-gray or iron-black, sometimes 
brownish; hardness 3-4; specific gravity 4.75-5.1. 
Composed of copper 38.6, sulphur 26.3, and fre¬ 
quently antimony and arsenic, zinc, iron, silver, etc. 
It frequently contains silver and sometimes as much 
as 25 to 30 per cent. Before the blow-pipe it gives 
a bead of copper or of copper and silver. It occurs 
with copper pyrites, galena and blende. This ore 
is wrought for copper and occasionally for silver. 

Copper pyrites {Chalcopyrite is the mineralogical 
name). Massive. Color is a brass yellow, sometimes 
tarnished and iridescent. Hardness 3.5 to 4, specific 
gravity 4.15. Composed of copper 34.6; sulphur 
34.9 ; iron 30.5. Before the blow-pipe it fuses to a 
magnetic globule on charcoal, and with borax me¬ 
tallic copper is the result. It is sometimes mistaken 
for gold, or iron, or tin pyrites. But it is brittle, 
gold is not; it will not strike fire as does iron pyrites ; 
and it may be distinguished from tin pyrites by the 
film that tin pyrites leaves on the charcoal, while 
copper pyrites leaves no residue under the blow¬ 
pipe. It occurs in granite and slate in lodes or 
veins, and is a valuable ore of copper. 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 121 

Silicate of Copper (Clirysocolla is the minera- 
logical name) is a bright-green or bliiish-green 
mineral, scarcely worthy of being called an ore, 
although it contains from 35 to 40 per cent, copper 
and a large amount of silica. It is a secondary de¬ 
posit. Its hardness is 2 to 4, and specific gravity 
2 to 2.3. Its only significance to the prospector is 
that it may be associated with true ores. Its powder 
(streak) is white, while the mineral itself is green ; 
this is due to the quartz or silex in the mineral. It 
does not entirely dissolve in nitric acid. Before the 
blow-pipe with soda, it gives a bead of copper. 

Black oxide of copper is usually found on the 
surface, and is generally due to the decomposition 
of some sulphide or other copper ore. It occurs in 
masses of a dark, earthy appearance, and sometimes 
in minute shining particles, and soils the fingers 
when handled. 

Malachite, green carbonate of copper, has a 
fibrous structure nearly opaque, and of an emerald- 
green color, and contains about 57 per cent, of cop¬ 
per. In hardness it is 3.5 to 4, and in specific 
gravity 3.6 to 4. 

Below the blow-pipe it becomes blackish. With 
borax it yields the usual blue-green bead, and on 
charcoal is reduced to metallic copper. It com¬ 
pletely dissolves in nitric acid, and thus it may be 
distinguished from silicate of copper, which has 
nearly the same color and will not dissolve. 

Blue Carbonate of copper [Azurite is the min- 
eralogical name) is only used for ornamental pur- 


122 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

poses. It is of a deep blue color, sometimes trans¬ 
parent, brittle, and gives a bluish streak. It has a 
hardness of 3.5 to 4.5 and a specific gravity of 3.7 
to 4. Can be scratched with a knife. It blackens 
when heated. On charcoal it is reduced to a 
globule of pure copper. With the borax bead it 
gives the indications of copper. It is soluble in 
nitric acid with effervescence, forming a blue 
solution. 

Variegated Copper Pyrites {Bornite is the min- 
eralogical name, but is also called Eruhiscite ): 

Fig. 43. 


’ll b “b 1> 



a 


Section of the copper bed at the Dolly Hide mine, Maryland, a , 
Slate, h , b , b , b , Ore beds or segregations of ore. c, c, c, c, Crystalline lime¬ 
stone (metamorphic). 

usually massive, of a copper-red to a pinchbeck- 
brown color and a blackish to lead-gray streak. 
Hardness 2.5 to 3, specific gravity 5.5 to 5.8. It 
contains 79.8 per cent, copper and 20.2 per cent, of 
sulphur. Before the blow-pipe it gives a bead of 
copper. 









COPPER, AND now ^[EASlTRED IN ORES. 


123 


The GiiOLOGY OF COPPER is iDore varied than that 
of many other metals, as it occurs in rocks of almost 
every age. In Cornwall the slates are more pro¬ 
ductive than the granites, while in our mines in the 
luistern States the new red sandstone, the carbon¬ 
iferous limestone, and silurian rocks furnish copper. 
Also found in the rnetamorphic limestone, near 
slate (Fig. 43). In the Lake Superior region, where 
large deposits of native copper are found, the 
rocks are sandstones and shales underlying green¬ 
stone or a kind of trap, and in some places seem to 
be igneous (Figs. 44, 45). Ruby copper ore occurs 

Fig. 44. 


n R 



Section ok stkata in Lake Supeiuok copper region, a, Granite, b, Gneis- 
soid. c, Greenstone, hornblende, conglomerates with interstratified slates. 
d, Slaty rocks and traps, etc. e, Potsdam sandstone. C, C, Places of copper 
deposits. 0, B, Iron ore beds. Section from N. W. to S. E. 


Fig. 45. 



Copper. Section of the Eagle vein. Lake Superior, a, Poryphyritic 
rocks, b, Greenstone, c, c. Conglomerate, d, d, d, Amygdaloid bearing cop¬ 
per. e, e, e, Shafts. /, Montreal River. 


in Arizona between (juartzose and liornblendic 
rocks and limestone. It occurs in both lodes and 
















124 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

deposits, and the best way for the prospector to pre¬ 
pare for actual discovery is to make himself well 
acquainted with the copper compounds, whether 
ores or minerals. They may indicate true ores, 
although they contain little copper. 

To become read}^ in the detection of copper as an 
ore the following facts should be kept in mind, as 
furnishing suggestions for skillful practice. (Figs. 
43, 44, and 45.) 

1. All copper ores weigh more than quartz or 
limestone, and the comparative weights should be 
so well known by practice that there should be no 
hesitation in judging that the mineral you hold is 
more than 2.6 in specific gravity, 2.6 being that of 
either quartz or limestone. 

2. Next examine the mineral with your pocket 
lens for aii}^ evidence of copper, such as green or 
bluish spots, or brassy points or particles ; if found, 
chip one off and use the blow-pipe with borax bead 
or with soda or borax on charcoal. If the char¬ 
acteristic color appears, it is copper. Now proceed 
with other parts of the specimen. If a sulphury 
smell is plain, it is probably a sulphide. Place a 
small chip upon a depression in the charcoal, cover 
with soda or borax, turn the inner flame upon it 
and reduce to a metallic globule; if it shows the 
color of copper and is malleable, it is copper; if it 
blackens apply your magnetized knife-blade, and if 
it is attracted the mineral contains iron, and it may 
contain both iron and copper. 

3. The next work is to examine the region to 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 125 

gather any other specimens and evidences of true 
ores, before attempting to know more of any particular 
specimen. If the surface specimens are numerous 
it may be well to gather some six or eight and pro¬ 
ceed to an examination as to the available copper. 
This is now the work of the chemist, and should be 
submitted to him. But as the skillful prospector 
frequently wishes to be his own chemist, where 
work for the desired object is not difficult nor very 
complicated, we give the following simple process of 
arriving at the per cent, of copper in an ore without 
regard to other elements contained therein : 

To OBTAIN THE PER CENT. OF COPPER IN AN ORE. 

The only chemicals needed are nitric acid, ammonia, 
and sodium sulphide (the colorless crystallized hy¬ 
drosulphide of soda of commerce is good enough). 
All the apparatus needed are a glass flask or tall 
beaker-glass and a marked tall glass called a burette. 
This glass may be obtained at any chemical ware¬ 
house. The burette is marked in cubic inches or 
cubic centimetres, from 25 to 100. Dissolve some 
sodium sulphide in clear rain-water (about a half 
ounce to a pint). Keep the solution in a glass- 
stoppered bottle. Obtain some pure copper (ordi¬ 
nary good copper wire will answer), weigh the piece 
accurately and dissolve in nitric acid, add some 
water (twice the amount of acid used, or a little 
more), then add ammonia until, when stirred with 
a long piece of glass or glass rod, the solution smells 
strongly of ammonia (the ammonia must be in ex¬ 
cess). Now All the burette with sodium sulpliide to 


126 trospector’s field-book and guide. 

the 100 mark, and from the burette pour into the 
copper solution until the blue color of copper 
entirely disappears; note on the burette by its 
marks the exact amount of sodium sulphide used. 
That amount represents the weight of the amount 
of copper used. 

Now for the ore. Pulverize some of the averaged 
ore, weigh it, and treat it as you did the copper 
Avith nitric acid and ammonia, and proceed Avith 
the sodium sulphide. When the ore solution has 
become entirely colorless, note Avhat amount of 
sodium sulphide solution you have used, and you 
may then calculate the exact amount of copper in 
the ore by simple proportion. The presence of tin, 
zinc, lead, iron, cadmium, antimony, arsenic, or 
bismuth in the ore does not interfere Avith the opera¬ 
tion. But silver does. Therefore, a small amount 
of the ore must be dissolved in nitric acid (free from 
all muriatic acid or chlorine, as this would precipi¬ 
tate the silver before you AAwld notice it), and 
tested by dropping into the solution a drop or tAvo 
of hydrochloric acid or solution of common table 
salt (sodium chloride). If any silver exists in the 
ore a milky cloudiness Avill appear, of a density 
greater or less, in accordance Avith the amount of 
silver present. If no silver appears, then you ma}^ 
proceed as already directed. If silver does appear, 
then the solution containing the Aveighed ore must 
first be treated Avith the salt solution or diluted hy¬ 
drochloric acid, until all cloudiness or Avhite precip¬ 
itate entirely ceases. The solution of ore noAV con¬ 
tains no silver, and you may proceed as directed, 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 127 

This process is sufficiently accurate for all assays 
provided the following precautions are observed:— 

1. Heat the copper solution (after adding the am¬ 
monia) to boiling point or little below while adding 
the sodium sulphide. 2. Add a little ammonia to 
the ammoniacal solution to keep it from losing am¬ 
monia by evaporation. 3. When the blue am¬ 
moniacal solution begins to lose its color, drop the 
sodium sulphide in cautiously, so as not to exceed 
the amount necessary to exactly precipitate the cop¬ 
per and no more. 

Note the precijntates: The sodium sulphide first 
produces its black precipitate of copper sulphide, 
but before that takes place the ammonia will pro¬ 
duce another precipitate, provided the copper con¬ 
tains any lead or tin. If the copper contains zinc, 
that will be precipitated immediately following the 
black copper sulphide, but will be white. If it con¬ 
tains any cadmium, that will be precipitated at the 
very moment the decoloration takes place, if tlie 
adding of the sodium sulphide is continued. Cad¬ 
mium is known by a beautiful clear yellow precipi¬ 
tate. With care and skill each may be noticed. 

In simply determining the amount of copper, 
liowever, no regard need be had to any of these pre¬ 
cipitates, only pay attention to the point of de¬ 
coloration. 

4. The sodium sulphide may need proving to see 
if it lias lost any of its strength if kept long, and 
this may be done by a new trial witli a new solution 
holding a known amount of copper. Or, exactly 


128 prospector’s pield-p>ook and guide. 

the same weight of crystals of sodium sulphide to 
the same amount of pure water may be used as 
before, and the old solution thrown away. Or, by 
re-testing the sodium sulphide the same solution 
may be used for a long time, for, if it has become 
weakened, make allowance for the additional sodium 
sulphide required. It should be kept in a cool 
place, out of the sun and light also. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


LEAD AND TIN. 

Lead. It very rarely occurs native, it then has 
a hardness of 1.5 and specific gravity 11.3 to 11.4. 
But the most usual ore of lead is the sulphide called 
Galena. When chemically pure it contains 85.55 
lead and 13.45 sul})hur. Its gravity is 7.2 to 7.5, 
according to admixtures. 

Galena almost always contains silver, and hence 
all galenas should be tested for silver. 


NIAGARA LIMESTONE. 


CAMBHO- 

SILUBIAN 


f Galena liinestoiie which hears lead. 

I Trenton limestone, fossils. 

- Sandstones, shales, and calcareous lieds. 
Lower magnesian limestones. 

Lower limit of lead. 


WHITE POTSDAM SANDSTONE. 


r 

i I Fossiliferous slates. 

CAMBKIAN ! Lower— 

I Doloniitic limestones. 
1 Dark sandstones. 


Drcler of Strata in the Lead District of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. 


Test for Silver in Galena. Powder the 
galena and dissolve it in strong nitric acid (fuming 
acid is best, which we have described), then dip a 
h ( 129 ) 









130 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

piece of polished copper strip, and, if silver exists in 
any amount, there will be formed a film of silver on 
the copper. If the film becomes decidedly silvery, 
and in a short time, the ore should be laid aside for 
a more careful analysis, directions for which we 
shall give. The geology and form of lodes of the 
galena ores are seen in Figs. 46, 47. 

Fig. 46. 



Lead Lode in Micaceous Slate in Mine near Middletown, Conn. 

Galena is found associated with zinc sulphide 
(blende), iron pyrites, fluorspar, antimony, carbon¬ 
ate of lime, sulphate of baryta, also with copper 
pyrites, but very seldom with more than two of 
these minerals at a time. 

In several regions, but very extensively in Colo¬ 
rado, a rich carbonate of lead has been found. 
(Fig. 47.) 

Carbonate of Lead (Cerussite, mineralogical 
name). If perfectly pure, its composition is lead 
83.6, carbonic acid 16.4. As a mineral its hard¬ 
ness is 3 to 3.5, its specific gravity 6.4 to 6.5. 



LEAD AND TIN. 


131 


Color (if freshly broken), white to gray, or even 
black, if it has been much weathered. If in good 
condition it is translucent or even transparent. 
Very brittle. If it contains copper it is nsnally 
tinged bine or green. It has a glassy or vitreous 
appearance, and is easily melted before the blow¬ 
pipe, and a lead bead or globule is readily obtained. 


Fig. 47. 



Section of strata in California Gulch, Colorado, showing portion of 
THE CARBONATE OF LEAD DEPOSITS, a, Poi’phyritic rock, 12 to 100 ft. thick, b, 
Thin bed of white clay, c. Carbonate of lead bed, 1 to 20 ft. thick, d. Oxide 
of iron, 1 to 6 ft. thick, e, e, Limestone. /, Clay slates, g, Quartzites and 
metamorphic rocks resting upon gneiss. 


By using a little bone-asb plastered in a hollow in 
the coal and turning the 0 F upon the lead, after a 
little skillful blowing the lead is absorbed and 
drawm off and a bright silver globule remains, pro¬ 
vided the lead contains silver. This is blow-pipe 
cupelling. 

























132 


PROSPECTOR S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


Sulphate of lead often accompanies the carbon¬ 
ate. It somewhat resembles the carbonate, although 
it is of slightly less hardness, 2.75 to 3, specific 
gravity 6.12 to 6.3. It may be distinguished from 
the carbonate by the fact that it does not effervesce in 
an acid, as the latter always will. Its mineralogical 
name is anglesite. It is composed of lead oxide 73.6 
and sulphuric acid 26.4 in the pure specimens. 

There are many other minerals containing lead, 
but as they do not come properly under the denom¬ 
ination of ores, we omit them. At the same time it 
is well to become somewhat acquainted with them. 
The blow-pipe will always enable the prospector to 
determine the presence of lead. 

Phosphate of Lead. Mineralogically, pyro- 
morpliite. Composition, when pure, 89.7 phosphate 
and 10.3 chromate of lead, with arsenate of lead (0 
to 9), phosphate of lime (0.11), and fluoride of cal¬ 
cium. Hardness 3.5 to 4; specific gravity, 6.5 to 7; 
color, green with modifications. It has a resinous 
lustre and is translucent; contains 78 per cent. lead. 
Heated on charcoal before the blow-pipe a globule 
is formed which takes on a crystalline appearance 
on cooling, leaving a yellow oxide of lead on tlie 
charcoal. With carbonate of soda in the reducing 
flame it yields a yellow globule. It is soluble in 
nitric acid. 

Chromate of lead is a yellow mineral contain¬ 
ing protoxide of lead 68.15, chromic acid 31.85. 
Hardness 2.5 to 3; specific gravity 5.9 to 6.1. 
Color, various shades of bright hyacinth-red, streak 


LEAD AND TIN. 


133 


(powder) orange-yellow. Lustre, vitreous. Trans¬ 
lucent, and sectile. Mineralogical name is crocoite. 

Lead ochre, massicot mineralogically. This 
mineral occurs massive, as a compact earth of a 
sulphury-yellow or reddish'yellow appearance. It 
has a hardness of 2, a specific gravity of 8, and, 
when pure, 9.2. It is composed of oxygen 7.17, 
lead 92.83. Before the blow-pipe it fuses readily to 
a yellow glass, and on charcoal is easily reducible 
to metallic lead. 

There are yet other combinations of lead whicli 
are not ores. They may always be suspected by 
their weight and be determined by the blow-pipe 
with soda on charcoal. They may be of service in 
indicating the presence of lead in the form and 
quantity of true ores. 

The geology of lead. Almost all the galenas 
and the carbonates contain silver, and some of the 
latter, as in Colorado, contain large quantities of 
silver. The geology of lead is very much the same 
as that of silver. 

These ores are found in veins and lodes, and also 
in flats and beds, and in pockets (Fig. 48). The 
galenas occur in limestones, called the “ galena 
limestones,” a yellowish-gray, hard, compact, crys¬ 
talline rock. The lowest horizon of lead ore in 
workable quantities lies above that of copper. 

‘‘The limestones and underlying schists are, for 
the most part, in a metamorphic condition, and 
there can be no difficulty, from the presence of 
porphyry above and the quartzites and gneiss 


13-1 1>HO.SPECT()K’s field-book and ouide. 


lielow, ill recognizing their jiosition,” * a.s in the 
C'anihro-silurian system. It is supposed that the 
largest proportion of silver is contained in the ore 
derived from this geologic horizon. 


Fig. 48. 



Section op Galena limestone showing how the lead occurs in lodes, a, flats, 
b, b, b, and pockets, c, from mere threads to sev’eral feet of thickness. 


AMiere wtiter has had its course, however, the 
condition of a mine and of its veins and beds of ore 
may have been changed. Koliert Hunt, as it re¬ 
gards British mines, says, that the circulation of 
water in the veins is affected by the inclination of 
the strata in the direction of tlie vein. The richest 
deposits are found in that portion of strata which, is 
the most elevated, for instance, on the side of a 
powerful cross vein, thus : 

The circulation of water is dependent upon an 
outlet at a lower level. 

*B. C. Davies, F. G. S. A Treatise on Metalliferous Min¬ 
erals, London, 1802, p. 250. 








































LEAD AND TIN. 


135 


Fig. 49. 



In the case of lead mines, it is stated that in con- 
se(jnence of tlie conditions connected witli the 
descent of water, the ricliest deposits of lead are 
generally found at no great distance from the out¬ 
cropping of the containing rock. Veins which run 
on the sides of a mountain in a direction nearly 
parallel with the valleys contain more extensive 
dej)Osits of lead than those which cross the valleys 
at right angles.* 

Fig. 50. 



Section of a Lead Deposit in a Fissure in the Limestone. Williams A 
Co.’s Mine, Wiseonsiii. B , B , B , B , limestone. A , the fissure running down. 
C, C , C , C , masses of ore. Met amorphic. 

Tlie prospector sliould keep tliis suggestion in 
mind. 

* British Mining, by Roliert Hunt, London, 1884, p. 844. 
























136 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

The lead ores are found in the fissures wliere they 
seem to have been deposited by waters which have 
dissolved them out from neighboring beds (Fig. 50). 

Tin. When a tin-bearing mineral is heated be¬ 
fore the blow-pipe with carbonate of soda or char¬ 
coal, white metallic tin is yielded. By dissolving 
this in liydrochloric acid and adding metallic zinc, 
the tin will be deposited in a spongy form. In the 
blow-pipe assay tin leaves behind a white deposit 
which cannot be driven off in either flame. If it 
be moistened with nitrate of cobalt solution, the 
deposit becomes bluish green, and this test dis¬ 
tinguishes it from other metals. 

Assay of tin ore. If the ore is poor it should be 
concentrated, the vein-stuff being got rid off as 
much as possible. If mixed with iron or copper 
pyrites, it should be calcined or else treated with 
acids. One method is to mix the ore with one-fifth 
of its weight of anthracite coal or charcoal, and 
expose it in a crucible to a great heat for about 
twenty minutes. The contents are then poured out 
into an iron mould, and the slag carefully exam¬ 
ined for buttons. 

Another method is to mix 100 grains of the ore 
with six times its weight of cyanide of potassium, 
and expose the mixture to the heat of a good fire 
for twenty minutes. The contents are allowed to 
cool and afterwards broken to remove the slair. 

o 

Veins of tin ore traverse granite, gneiss, mica, 
slate, etc. The usual ore of tin is the oxide (bin- 
oxide) whose typical composition is tin 78.38, oxy- 


I.EAD AND TIN. 


137 


gen 21.02, hardness 6 to 7, speeihc gravity 6.8 to 7. 
It is, as a mineral, called cassiterite, and contains 
small quantities of iron, copper, manganese, tung¬ 
sten, tantalic acid, arsenic, sometimes silica, and 
rarely lime. It occurs massive and in crystals, also 
in botryoidal and reniform shapes, concentric in 
structure and radiated fibrous, internally, and is 
then, in the last form, called ‘‘ ivood tin,” from its 
woody appearance. Toad^s-eye tin is the last de¬ 
scribed, but in very small shot-like grains, and 
stream tin is the same only in form of sand, found 
near or in streams. 

Tin ore (binoxide) is nearly as hard as quartz, 
and will scratch glass, especially if freshly broken. 
Pure crystals are rare. They are nearly transparent, 
but in the mass, as it occurs in the mines in Dakota 
and in many other places, the ore is a dark brown 
color and sometimes almost black ; the fine powder 
or streak as made by a file, is light brown, however 
dark the mineral may be. The brown color or 
shade is due to oxide of iron in composition ; if 
perfectly free from all associated impurities it would 
be nearly white or colorless. The usual appearance 
in mass or pebbles or finer, is that of a dirty or 
burned-brown color with varying depths of shade. 

In the pebble form it is apt to wear quite smooth, 
due to its extreme hardness. 

It was in this form that it was discovered in 
Banca, in 1710, and in the neighboring island, 
Billiton, and traced to its source in the mountains, 
where the central rock is granite, covered by quartz- 


188 prospector's field-book and GTTIDE. 

ites, altered sandstones, and slaty rocks. The 
altered sandstone just above the granite is the most 
productive rock, and it is traversed in all directions 
with tourmaline.* The same general associations 
largely exist in Wyoming and Dakota tin mines. 

There is another mineral containing tin which 
may lead to the discovery of the true ore. It re¬ 
quires only a short description, which we give. 

Tin pyrites {sulphide of tm) whose composition is, 
as a mineral, 29 to 30 sulphur, 25 to 31 tin, 29 to 
30 copper, with iron and sometimes zinc. It has 
been dug as an ore of copper and called “ hell metal.” 
Its hardness is 4, specific gravity 4.3 to 4.5 ; has a 
metallic lustre; color, steel-gray to black, often 
yellowish from the presence of copper sulphide; it 
is opaque and brittle. 

With nitric acid it affords a blue solution, and 
sulphur and tin oxide separate and may be tested 
on charcoal, where it fuses to a globule, which, in 
the oxidizing flame, gives off sulphur and coats the 
coal with white oxide of tin. 

This ore or mineral, for it does not as yet deserve 
the name of tin ore, is of little use, but the pros¬ 
pector does well to make himself acquainted with it, 
as it is frequently associated with the binoxide or 
cassiterite, or black oxide, as the true ore is fre¬ 
quently called. 

This last form is that in which tlie tin ores of 

*D. C. Davies, F. G. S. Metalliferous Minerals, Jjondon, 
1892, p. 184. 


LEAD AND TIN. 


139 


South Dakota are invariably found. The gangue 
matter varies as do the minerals associated, but the 
general geologic conditions are largely the same 
throughout many miles of country. Although tlie 
Hearney Peak Mines are the chief centres of the tin 
developments, the whole country around for many 
miles seems to hold out promise of the same general 
metallic deposits, and particularly of the black 
oxide. 

The tin veins are gold-bearing, and it is supposed* 
that the gold is carried in the pyrite which some¬ 
times accompanies the cassiterite. 

It is peculiar that in the granites, wlien they con¬ 
tain mainly mica and quartz, or mica and albite 
(soda-feldspar), tin is usually present, but when all 
the elements of the granite are present the tin is ab¬ 
sent. If the vein consists of feldspar alone the tin 
is absent, but when it is composed of quartz alone, 
as is frequently the case, the quartz is always 
banded as in a fissure vein, and is usually tin-bear¬ 
ing, but the tin-stone is of a reddish-brown. 

Another peculiarity is in the large quantities of 
the phosphate minerals found in these regions. Of 
other minerals, columbite occurs in masses of many 
pounds’ weight. Tantalite has also been found in 
the Etta Mine. Also, uranium is reported as found 
in some of the veins. Albite is everywhere the 
predominating feldspar. 

* Mineral Resources of the U. S., 1888. Washington, D. 
C., 1890, pp. 148, 150. 


140 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

From what has been said it is plain that tin oxide 
occurs in the earliest rocks, and even in the granites. 
It is also to be found in streams or near them, 
but derived from the rock to which it may be 
traced. It may be found in lodes, or in the drift 
and alluvial to which it has come from the moun¬ 
tain sources. It is also associated with a large vari¬ 
ety of minerals, but not always the same in different 
regions. These minerals are characteristic of the 
tin regions and formations. 

It is evident that a most important aid to the 
prospector is a study of the characteristics of the 
tin-stone ores, and he may find it beneficial to be¬ 
come acquainted with the special minerals above 
mentioned as associated with the ores. 

These minerals include, in some mines, ivolframite, 
which gives trouble in the Cornwall and other tin 
mines, and the following description and tests may 
aid in detecting it: 

Wolframite is in hardness 5-5.5, specific gravity 
7.1-7.55, therefore, in these features it resembles the 
tin oxide; though somewhat softer, yet the specific 
gravity is practically the same, although really 
heavier. So in color it frequently closely resembles 
tin oxide. But in the streak (or scratch powder), 
wolframite is a dark reddish-brown to black, while 
the tin oxide gives a white or grayish-brown pow¬ 
der : wolframite is opaque, while the tin oxide is 
translucent and sometimes transparent on the edges; 
when mixed with iron or manganese rarely, it looks 
almost opaque. Composition of wolframite : tung- 


LEAD AND TIN. 


141 


Stic acid about 75, the remainder protoxide of iron 
and manganese protoxide, more of the latter than 
of the former. 

One other mineral present in the Hearney Mines 
is a brown garnet, and inasmuch as the small stream 
tin has to the inexperienced the same general form 
and color, the two distinct substances are allowed 
to remain together even in sampling. But while 
the garnets are of about the same hardness as the 
tin oxide, they are much lighter, and may be easily 
separated by panning,” the moving water in the 
pan throwing the garnets away from the edge of the 
water, and the heavier grains of tin oxide remaining 
behind. Where the garnet is somewhat massive it 
may, with a little observation, be readily distin¬ 
guished and separated.* 

The home of the tin deposits is, geologically, in 
the granites, as we have said, but they are of a 
peculiar type, from whose composition feldspar is 
largely absent and mica largely present. They 
underlie the oldest sedimentary rocks belonging, 
evidently, to the Laurentian Series, if not to an 
earlier primitive group.f 

In Dakota it is stated J that granite in the form 
of bosses and (nearer to the Hearney Peak range) in 
long dikes is common. But at the Etta, and in its 
vicinity, the granitic masses are columnar rather 

* U. S. Geolog. Survey. Min. Res. of U. S., 1888, p. 15H. 
t D. C. Davies. Treat, on Met. Min., Loud., 1892, ]). 208, 
i Trans. Amer. Inst, of Mining Engineers, vol. 13, 1884- 
] 886 , p. 691-696. 


142 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

than tabular in form. The line of demarcation be¬ 
tween the granitic mass and the slates is sharp and 
distinct. There is a clay selvage in contact, making 
a distinct Avail as in regular veins. In the Etta 
mine, as in other similarly formed granitic masses 
of the region, the composition is characterized by 
extremely coarse, massive crystallizations of the 
constituent minerals. 

The cassiterite of the Iback Hills is \^ery pure, 
ranging from 92.80 to 97.50 of tin oxide. 

Recently, “tin ore” has been reported discovered 
on the western slope of the Blue Ridge, a few miles 
north of Ashby’s Gap, about sixty miles southwest 
of Washington. Also, large deposits are rej)orted 
from the region of San Diego, Southern California. 


CHAPTER IX. 


ZINC-IRON. 

Zinc. The chief ores of zinc are : 

Zinc Carbonate. Mineralogical name Smithson- 
ite, composition, zinc 51.44, oxygen 13.10, carbonic 
acid 35.46. But the composition in the mines varies 
because of the presence of protoxide of iron, man¬ 
ganese, and magnesia. Color, when pure, nearly 
white, through various shades of yellow and gray 
to brown. Hardness 5, specific gravity 4-4.4. 

It is easily detected by the blow-pipe, as it gives a 
green color when heated after being moistened with 
half a drop of nitrate of cobalt solution. On char¬ 
coal, with soda, it coats the coal with a white film, 
which is yellow when hot and white on cooling, but 
if moistened with the cobalt solution and heated in 
the 0 F it turns green. With muriatic acid it effer¬ 
vesces and dissolves. In mass it is translucent and 
brittle. 

Zinc Silicate. Mineralogical name, calamine; 
composition, zinc oxide 67.5, silica 25, water 7.5. 
Hardness 4.5-5, the latter when crystallized (Dana), 
gravity 3.16-3.9. Color and streak the same as in 
Smithsonite. Acts before the hlow-i)ipe as does 
Smithsonite, but does not effervesce with acids, and 
(143) 


144 pkosppxtor’s field-book and guide. 


gelatinizes; it is soluble in a strong solution of pot¬ 
ash. 

Red oxide of zinc, inineralogical name is zincite 
(pron. zinkite), and its composition is zinc 80, 
oxygen 20, varied by the presence of 3 to 12 parts 
of peroxide of manganese, which gives the red color, 
for zinc oxide, pure, is white. This ore is peculiar 
to one region in New Jersey, Franklin, Sussex Co. 
Hardness 4-4.5, specific gravity 5.4-5.7 ; color, red 
and yellowish-red, streak the same; translucent, 
brittle. 

Sulphide of zinc, inineralogical name sphalerite 
or blende, miners’ name black-jack. Composition, 
zinc 66.8, sulphur 33.2, but varied in the mines by 
iron, and sometimes cadmium. Color varies from 
yellow to brown and almost black, having a wax}" 
look. Hardness 3.5 to 4, specific gravity 3.9 to 4.2 ; 
brittle, translucent. 

The geology of zinc and of lead are so nearly 


Fig. 51. 



Section of stkata near Sparta, New Jersey, zinc mines, 

n, Slaty rock with feldspathic dykes, h, b, Limestone, c. Franklinite iron 
ore with zinc 20 to 30 ft. wide, d, Red oxide of zinc 3 to 9 ft. wide, c, e. 
Crystalline limestone. /, Feldspathic rock. 








ZINC-IRON. 


145 


alike that what has been said of the latter will apply 
to the former. (Fig. 51.) 

Ill New Jersey a section of strata near Sparta 
shows slaty rock with feldspathic dykes, then lime¬ 
stone adjoining the Franklinite iron ore with zinc 
20 to 30 feet wide, then the red oxide of zinc 3 
to 9 feet wide, then crystalline limestone, and next 
feldspathic rock (Fig. 51). 

Enormous and extensive deposits of the sulphide 
are rejiorted as occurring in Colorado, at George¬ 
town and Mount Lincoln, and in Montana, near 
Jefferson City. 

The author received a letter stating that some 
blende sent him came from a group of mines 
near Cotopaxi, Colorado; where a vein of zinc 
blende exists in granite rock ; the blende is 15 feet 
thick, no rock with it, and only a trace of lead, 
some copper pyrites, also a trace of cadmium ; about 
8 per cent, of iron and about 7 ounces of silver [to 
the ton] is contained in the crude ore. I have 
mined and sold from 20 to 30 tons daily on orders.” 

From more recent examinations made by Mr. 
E. H. Saltiel, and reported to the author (1891), 
the fissures or ‘‘ chimneys ” of ore are in a 
metamorphic granite country rock. The vein 
matter penetrates granite, garnet rock, mica schist, 
and several varieties of the hornblendic series of 
rocks, principally pyroxene. The latter show a 
strong “ peppering ” of galena with silver and 
chalcopyrite. Then come the enormous bodies of 
zinc blende mixed with chalco])yrite and some iron 
10 


146 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


pyrite. Following and lying parallel to the zinc 
blende is pyroxene of about 22 feet thickness, and 
garnet rock permeated with silver-bearing galena 
and cbalcopyrite, with a small jier cent, of zinc 
blende. These descriptions apply to Hinsdale, 
Lake, and Clear Creek counties, Colorado. 

The blow-pipe shows the same tests for zinc as 
have previously been mentioned. The fumes of 
sulphurous acid may be easily noticed when the 
mineral is placed in an open tube of glass (a test 
tube with a small hole in the bottom will be suffi¬ 
cient), and strongly heated. 

Iron. Native iron is not found in nature, but 
occurs with a small percentage of nickel in meteor¬ 
ites. It resembles ordinary iron, is malleable and 
attracted by a magnet. Specific gravity 7.0 to 7.8. 

The chief ores of iron are magnetite, hematite 
(red and brown), and black band. 

^Iagnetite is composed of iron 72.4 and oxygen 
27.6. This ore is always easily attracted by the 
magnet, and sometimes is found capable of attract¬ 
ing iron, and then is called ^'polaric” or ‘‘load¬ 
stone.” 

Hardness 5.5 to 6.5, specific gravity 5 to 5.1. 
Color, nearly black ; streak black. In powder or 
small grains it is always attractable by a magnet¬ 
ized knife-blade. 

Nitric acid does not act upon it, but muriatic acid 
dissolves it when in very fine powder, and under 
long-continued heat. 

Iron exists in magnetite as protoxide and per- 


ZINC-IRON. 


147 


oxide or FeO and Fe 2 03 , and upon this difference 
of oxides is based the action of important tests. 

Franklinite is an ore somewhat resembling 
magnetite in color, hardness, and specific gravity, 
but it contains manganese and zinc, and as an ore, 
is peculiar to Sussex Co., New Jersey. Its streak is 
dark brown, and its action on the magnet is feebler 
than in the case of magnetite. The iron is said to 
he of the composition of peroxide, or Fe 203 , but it 
is probably in part protoxide, and this is the cause 
of its feeble effect on the magnet. 

It is easily detected under the blowpipe. Alone, 
it is infusible, but with borax in the 0 F it colors 
the borax bead with the amethystine color of man¬ 
ganese, and in the Fi F it shows the bottle-green oi 
iron. On charcoal with soda it gives the bluish- 
green manganate, and also the coating of zinc, 
especially if the soda is mixed with borax. It is 
soluble in fine poAvder in muriatic acid. 

Specular ore is the peroxide of iron without the 
protoxide. This oxide is also called the sesqui- 
oxide, or one and a half oxides, since iron combines 
with oxygen in the proportion of one to one and a 
half parts, or FeaOg, and this is the highest propor¬ 
tion of oxygen the iron Avill combine with, and 
hence it is the peroxide, the peroxide and sesqui- 
oxide being the same in this case. 

Specular ore is called red hematite from its 
color, which in some masses is so intensely red as to 
appear nearly black, but it may ahvays he distin¬ 
guished from magnetite by its red streak, and the 


148 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


blacker the ore the more decided is the red of its 
powder or streak. It is never magnetic. We have 
always found that in cases where specular ore 
showed any magnetic attraction, it was due to tlie 
fact that the ore contained some protoxide of iron. 


Fjg. 52. 



(tEOLOGIC HORIZONS AROUND THE IRON ORES OF LAKE SUPERIOR. 

a, Gneiss, h, Hornblende slates, c, The same with numerous thin beds of 
iron ore which frequently unite, d, Potsdam sandstone. 

Hardness 5.5, specific gravity 4.5 to 5.3, composi¬ 
tion, 70 per cent, iron, 30 per cent, oxygen. Color, 
reddish to almost black. 

Brown Iron Ore or Brown IIE^[ATITE or 
Limonite. This is the same in composition as red 
hematite, except that it has less iron and contains 
water in chemical combination, generally about 14 
l)er cent. Color always brown. AVhen heated red- 









ZINC-IRON. 


149 


hot it loses its water and turns to a liright-red, 
unless largely mixed with alumina and silex, when 
the red color is shaded. It is not magnetic unless 
heated with soda under the blow-pipe, when it be¬ 
comes metallic, as all iron ores do. 

The amount of metallic iron in a pure specimen 
is 59 per cent., sometimes decreased by presence oi 
alumina, silica, magnesia, and other impurities, so 
that its average in many good mines is only about 
35 to 36 per cent. iron. 

Spathic Iron Ore or Siderite is an iron car¬ 
bonate, composed of iron protoxide 62 per cent, and 
carbonic acid, or 48 per cent, pure iron, but 
frequently composed of manganese. Hardness 3.5 
to 4.5, gravity 3.7-3.9, streak white. Color gray or 
cream color, unless weathered, when it is brownish. 

When in powder it effervesces with muriatic 
acid, especially when hot. Translucent on edges, 
and thin plates or splinters. 

With the blow-pipe in a closed tube (test tube) it 
decrepitates, becomes blackened, and gives off car¬ 
bonic acid. Before the blow-pipe alone, held by 
forceps, it blackens and fuses. In the test tube with 
muriatic acid it may be tested for carbonic acid, by 
letting a lighted thread down into the tube, when 
the flame is instantly extinguished. The solution 
in the tube may be tested for iron by dropping a 
drop of solution of ferricyanide of potassium into 
the muriatic acid solution, when it becomes in¬ 
stantly a deep blue. This is a test of protoxide of 
iron, spathic ore being iron in the condition of prot¬ 
oxide only. 


150 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

Black band ore is an argillaceous spathic ore of 
various dark colors, being largely combined with 
carbonaceous material. It is found extensively in 
Great Britain, near the summit of the coal measures. 
In our country the black band ores are also associ¬ 
ated with the coal measures, both in the anthracite 
and bituminous regions. 

Chromic Iron or Chromite, generally with 49.90 
to 60.04 per cent, of chromic oxide, 18.42 to 35.68 
per cent, of ferrous oxide, 10 to 12 per cent, alumina, 
5.36 to 15 per cent, magnesia, and 4 to 6 per cent, 
silica, occurs usually massive, mixed with other iron 
ores or in serpentine. It is an iron-black to brown¬ 
ish-black color and a faintly metallic lustre. Streak 
or powder, dark-brown. Fracture, irregular ; specific 
gravity, 4.4 to 4.6 ; hardness 5.5, is not scratched by 
a knife. With borax bead it gives the character¬ 
istic indications of chromium. It is largely used in 
the preparation of chromium colors. 

The following iron ores are not used for the mak¬ 
ing of iron and steel, but may nevertheless prove of 
value. 

Iron Pyrites, usually in cubes and allied forms, 
sides often marked by fine parallel lines. Occurs 
also massive and contains 46.7 per cent, of iron and 
53.3 per cent, of sulphur. Color, brass yellow; 
lustre, metallic; streak, brownish-black; fracture 
irregular; specific gravity 4.8 to 5.1 ; hardness 6 to 
6.5; cannot be scratched with a knife, but is 
scratched by quartz, and scratches glass with great 
facility. Before the blow-pipe it burns with a blue 


ZINC-IRON. 


151 


flame, giving off an odor of sulphur, and ultimately 
fuses into a black magnetic globule. It is found in 
great abundance, and is used as a source of sulphur. 
It is easily distinguished from copper pyrites by its 
hardness, the latter being readily cut with a knife. 
From gold it is distinguished by its hardness and 
in not being malleable, and in giving off sulphurous 
odors in the blow-pipe flame. 

Arsenical Pyrites or Mispickel contains 34.4 per 
cent, of iron, 19.6 per cent, of arsenic, and 46.0 per 
cent, of sulphur. It occurs in flattened prisms and 
also massive. Color, white ; lustre, metallic ; streak, 
gray, fracture, uneven ; specific gravity 6.0 to 6.3 ; 
hardness 5.5 ; cannot be scratched with a knife, but 
is scratched by quartz. Heated before the blow¬ 
pipe it gives off white arsenical fumes of a garlic 
odor, and finally fuses into a black globule. It is 
abundant in mining districts, and sometimes is 
auriferous. With the improved processes now in 
use, it is possible to extract the gold profitably, and 
hence mispickel ores should be examined for gold. 

The geology of the iron ores varies and may be 
divided into that of the magnetites, which are 
always derived from the granites, gneiss, schist 
rocks, clay slates, and rarely, the metamorphic lime¬ 
stones. 

The red hematites seem to be only an alteration 
derived from the magnetites, and belong to the same 
more ancient rocks. 

The brown hematites (limonites) are derived from 
both the former and are generally sedimentary. 


152 


PROSPECTOR S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


Very frequently in extensive magnetite regions, 
where the country back is mountainous, the brown 
ore has been formed in basins and knees and inter¬ 
locked portions of the lower country, where ages of 
rains, storms and freshets, have gradually trans¬ 
ported and altered the magnetic ores of the upper 
regions and brought down these iron oxides to the 
lands, where they have been arrested and settled 
down in beds of brown hematite. This seems to 
have been the history of all the hematitic limonite 
beds and deposits; they are on the lower levels 
where the}^ were formed, although in after ages 
they may have been uplifted. 

Iron ores are, therefore, to be found in three gen¬ 
eral geologic regions : (1) in the earliest rocks ; (2) 


Fig. 53. 



a, Qxiartzite or siliceous rock, b, Red hematite iron ore alternating with 
siliceous matter, c, Siliceous rocks. 


ill the carboniferous, and (3) in the more recent or 
sedimentary rocks, and in accordance with their 
composition as magnetites and specular ores, as 



ZINC-IKON. 


153 


carbonaceous or black band and spathic ores, or as 
brown ores of the limonite order. 

One of the most peculiar geologic conditions is 
found in the Pilot Knob Mountain, wherein the 
iron strata have been thrown up as in Fig. 53. 

THE USE OF THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE IN PROSPECTING 
FOR IRON. 

In ordinary cases, where the surface is covered 
with loose earth, it is common to search for mag¬ 
netic iron ore with a magnetic needle or a miner’s 
compass, and for preliminary examinations it is 
now the chief reliance. In using this instrument 
considerable practice is required ; but this joined to 
good judgment gives indications of the presence of 
ore which are almost infallible. There has been 
very great improvement, within a few years past, in 
the methods of searching for magnetic ore as well 
as in the instruments to be used for that purpose, 
and the work is now well done by many persons. 

In the Annual Report of the State Geologist of 
New Jersey for 1879, W. H. Scranton, M. E., makes 
a report, accompanied by a map, upon a magnetic 
survey made at Oxford, Warren Co., New Jersey, to 
determine the location of a vein, and the proper 
places to sink shafts. Mr. Scranton finds Gurley’s 
Norwegian compass the best, though the slowest to 
work with. He sums up the indications from the 
magnetic needle in searching for ore, as it usually 
occurs in New Jersey, as follows: 

“An attraction which is confined to a very small 


154 pkospector’s field-book and guide, 

spot and is lost in passing a few feet from it, is most 
likely to be caused by a boulder of ore or particles 
of magnetite in the rock. 

“ An attraction which continues on steadily in the 
direction of the strike of the rock for a distance of 
many feet or rods, indicates a vein of ore; and if it 
is positive and strongest towards the southwest, it is 
reasonable to conclude that the vein begins with the 
attraction there. If the attraction diminishes in 
going northeast, and finally dies but without becom¬ 
ing negative, it indicates that the vein has con¬ 
tinued on without break or ending until too far off' 
to move the compass needle. If, on passing towards 
the northeast, along the line of attraction, the south 
pole is drawn down, it indicates the end of the vein 
or an offset. If, on continuing further still in the 
same direction, positive attraction is found, it shows 
that the vein is not ended ; but if no attraction is 
shown, there is no indication as to the further con¬ 
tinuance of the ore. 

In crossing veins of ore from southeast to north¬ 
west, when the dip of the rock and ore is as usual to 
the southeast, positive attraction is first observed to 
come on gradually, as the ore is nearer and nearer 
to the surface, and the northwest edge of the vein is 
indicated by the needle suddenly showing negative 
attraction just at the point of passing off it. This 
change of attraction will be less marked as the 
depth of the vein is greater, or as the strike is nearer 
north and south. The steadiness and continuance 
of the attraction is a much better indication of ore 


ZINC-IRON. 


155 


than the strength or anionnt of attraction is. The 
ore may vary in its susceptibility to the magnetic 
influence from impurities in its substance; it does 
vary according to the position in which it lies— 
that is, according to its dip and strike; and it also 
varies ver}^ much according to its distance beneath 
the surface. 

^'Method of Using the Compass in Searching for Ore. 
—It is sufficient to say that the first examinations 
are made by passing over the ground with the com¬ 
pass in a northwest and southeast direction, at in¬ 
tervals of a few rods, until indications of ore are 
found. Then the ground should be examined more 
carefully by crossing the line of attraction at inter¬ 
vals of a few feet, and marking the points upon 
which observations have been made, and recording 
the amount of attraction. Observations with the 
ordinary compass should be made and the varia¬ 
tion of the horizontal needle be noted. In this 
way materials may soon be accumulated for staking 
out the line of attraction, or for constructing a map 
for study and reference. 

“ After sufficient exploration with the magnetic 
needle, it still remains to prove the value of the vein 
by uncovering the ore, examining its quality, meas¬ 
uring the size of the vein, and estimating the cost of 
mining and marketing it. Uncovering should first 
be done in trenches dug across the line of attraction, 
and carried quite down to the rock. When the ore 
is in this way proved to be of value, regular mining 
operations may begin. 


ISG prospector’s field-book and guide. 

places where there are offsets in the ore, or 
where it has been subject to bends, folds, or other 
irregularities, so that the miner is at fault in what 
direction to proceed, explorations may be made with 
the diamond drill.” 


CHAPTER X. 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, C’OBALT AND CADMIUM. 

Mercury or Quicksilver. Native mercury is 
rarely found. It occurs disseminated in liquid 
globules through sandstone and other rocks, in 
cavities of which it may accumulate. It is bright, 
white, and of specific gravity 13.6 at 32° F. How¬ 
ever, the principal sources of quicksilver are the 
following ; 

Cinnabar, or sulphide of mercury, found massive, 
of a granular texture, reddish color, and scarlet-red 
streak. Composition : mercury 86.2, sulphur 13.8, 
when pure. It is the most valuable ore of mercury. 

Hardness 2 to 2.5, specific gravity 8.99, sectile. 
Before the blow-pipe on charcoal it is volatile if 
pure, gives sulphurous flames if heated in an open 
tube, and mercury condenses on the sides of the 
tube, so that it may easily be seen with a lens or 
even the naked eye. 

Native amalgam. This is a mixture of silver 
and mercury, and when pure, contains from 64 to 
72 per cent, mercury. Color, silver-white; hardness 
3-3.5, specific gravity 10.5-14. On charcoal before 
the blow-pipe, the quicksilver evaporates and the 
silver remains. 


( 157 ) 


158 prospector's field-book and guide. 


In California the ore, cinnabar, is in alternate 
beds of clayey shale and layers of flinty rock. The 
ore is found on a range from the summit of the 
lower Cambrian rocks to the base of the Cambro- 
silurian strata, and it occurs in the midst of erup¬ 
tive and metamorphic rocks, being mostly associated 
with greenstone and porphyry, and the ores are fre- 
(|uently accompanied by bituminous matter.* 

Bismuth. This metal occurs native, of a reddish 
silver-white color. Brittle when cold ; hardness 2- 
2.5, specific gravity 9.7. Sectile when heated. It 
carries, sometimes, traces of arsenic, sulphur, tellur¬ 
ium, and iron. On charcoal before the blow-pipe, 
it fuses and entirely volatilizes, leaving a coating 
which is orange-yellow while hot and lemon-yellow 
on cooling (this is the trioxide of bismuth). It dis¬ 
solves in nitric acid, but subsequent dilution causes 
a white precipitate. 

Very little bismuth has been found in our coun¬ 
try. The metal occurs on the Continent of Europe, 
associated with silver and cobalt, also with copper 
ores. Although there is but little call for it in the 
arts, a deposit or lode of bismuth would be valuable. 

Where it has been found in the United States it 
has been associated with wolfram (tungstate of iron 
and manganese), also with tungstate of lime, with 
galena and zinc blende in quartz. 

Its GEOLOGY is tlic Same as that of copper; it 
occurs in veins, in gneiss, and other crystalline 
rocks. 


* B, C. Davies’ Met. Min., Jjond., 1881, p. 284. 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 159 

Nickel. It does not occur native, except in 
meteorites. 

Under the blow-pipe, nickel requires care and 
some practice. On charcoal, with soda in the inner 
flame, it gives a gray metallic powder, attractable 
by the magnet. In the borax bead in the outer 
flame it gives a hyacinth-red to violet-brown while 
hot, a yellowish or yellow-red when cold. In the 
reducing or inner flame, a gray appearance is given. 
These appearances are modified by the impurities 
of the mineral and the amount of nickel in the 
mineral. The wet process is the only method of 
determining the true value of the nickel-bearing 
mineral. 

Its chief ores are : 

Smaltite, which is a combination of cobalt, iron 
and nickel, and arsenic in varying proportions. 

Before the blow-pipe in the closed tube, it gives 
off arsenic as a metallic sublimate on the sides of 
the glass. In the open tube it gives off white sub¬ 
limate of arsenious acid. 

On charcoal it gives an arsenical odor and fuses 
to a globule, which, under successive heatings with 
borax, gives the reactions for iron, cobalt, and 
nickel {page 171). 

Hardness of the ore 5.5-6, specific gravity 6.4- 
7.2, metallic lustre ; color, tin-white, sometimes a 
little tarnished ; streak, grayish-black ; brittle. 

Nickel arsenide, copper nickel'' mineralogical 
name, nicolite. Composition : nickel 44.1 ; arsenic 
55.9. It looks somewhat like pale copper, but con- 


160 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

tains no copper. Hardness 5-5.5, specific gravity 
6.67-7.33 ; streak, pale brownish to black ; brittle. 
It frequently contains a little iron, and sometimes 
a trace of antimony, lead, and cobalt. 

If carefully treated under the bloAV-pipe with 
borax, it will show the iron if present, in the bead, 
and the cobalt and nickel by successive oxidations 
{page 171). But the nickel requires especial treat¬ 
ment, the detection of which we shall speak of in 
this chapter. 

There is another mineral, not properly an ore, 
called 

Emerald-nickel, a carbonate of nickel, contain¬ 
ing 28.6 water when pure. It forms incrustations 
on other minerals, like another called millerite. 

Millerite, a sulphide of nickel forming tufts of 
very fine acicular, brassy-looking crystals, in cavi¬ 
ties of the red hematite of Sterling Iron Mines in 
Northern New York, and velvety incrustations on 
ores in Lancaster Co., Penna., where nickel is found 
and worked. In the former place no nickel 
abounds, but in the latter it has been found in 
paying quantities. But the sulphide forms at the 
latter place vary very much, as examined under the 
microscope, from the acicular crystals found in the 
ores at Sterling, N. Y., and yet they are the same 
chemical combination. The ore upon which the 
tufts of velvety covering are found at the Gap 
Mine, Lancaster Co., Penn., is pyrrhotite or sulphide 
of iron, holding 4 to 5.9 per cent, nickel in coni})o- 
sition ; that of Sterling, N. Y., is the red hematite. 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 161 

The sources of nickel discovered in Sudbury, Can¬ 
ada, north of Georgian Bay, yield nickel in pyrrhotite 
(sulphide of iron), and apparently also in chalcopy- 
rite, whose typical composition is copper 34.6, iron 
30.5, sulphur 34.9. It is a mineral of brass-yellow 
appearance, and one which furnishes the copper of 
commerce at the Cornwall Mines (Eng.) and at the 
copper beds in Fahlun, Sweden. In the latter place 
it is imbedded, as it appears to be in the region of 
the Sudbury Mines, only that the Sudbury ore is 
imbedded in pyrrhotite and the Swedish in gneiss. 

The chalcopyrite does not mix intimately with 
the nickel ore so as to form a homogeneous mass, 
but occurs by itself in pockets or threads, etc., but 
inclosed with massive pyrrhotite, which, while it 
may have more than 30 per cent, of nickel present, 
does not show any signs of the changed composition.* 

This per cent, is far above the average of nickel in 
the pyrrhotite, which seldom carries less than 
per cent, or more than 9 per cent, of nickel. 

The following new ores of nickel are reported by 
Dr. Emmons from Sudbury, Canada : 

Foleyrite of a bronze-yellow color, grayish-black 
streak, and metallic lustre. It occurs massive and 
contains 32.87 per cent, of nickel. Its specific 
gravity is 4.73, hardness 3.5. 

Wkartonite contains 6.10 per cent, of nickel. It 
has a pale bronze-yellow color, black streak and 

*Dr. E. B. Peters, Manager of the Canada Coi)per 
Company. 

. 11 


162 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

metallic lustre. Specific gravity about 3.73 ; hard¬ 
ness about 4. 

Jack’s Tin or Blueite contains 3.5 per cent, of 
nickel. It is of an olive-gray to bronze color, me¬ 
tallic lustre and black streak. Specific gravity 4.2; 
hardness 3 to 3.5. 

ANALYSIS OF ORES FOR NICKEL AND COBALT. 

As this analysis requires care, we give the follow¬ 
ing method in full : 

1. Reduce finely 50 grains of the ore. Put it in 
a dry beaker-glass and pour a mixture of one part 
sulphuric acid with three parts nitric acid, both 
pure and concentrated, or 40 to 50 c.c. to 2 grams 
of ore. 

2. Heat the covered beaker ou a sand-bath to 
near 212° Fah. for two hours. Then partly un¬ 
cover, and evaporate the nitric acid entirely. 

3. Cool and add 100 or more c.c. of water and 
let it stand for four hours; the insoluble residue is 
LEAD sulphate, silex, etc. 

4. Filter off the soluble part and place the moist 
lead sulphate in a beaker and dissolve it by first 
pouring in ammonia (20-25 c.c.), and next acetic 
acid till it is decidedly acid. The sulphate now 
dissolves if kept warm for some twenty minutes. 
Filter and wash, and if any residue remains (silex, 
etc.), reserve for future examination. 

5. The LEAD is now separate, but if the amount 
is sought, pass a current of hydrogen sulphide 
through the solution till the lead is entirely pfe- 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 163 

cipitated. Filter, dry, place the residue in a porce¬ 
lain crucible and heat to a low-red heat, passing a 
current of dry hydrogen into the crucible while 
heating to prevent any oxidizing of the sulphide. 
When the crucible and contents remain the same 
in weight, the last weight of the lead sulphide is the 
correct amount. Of this weight, 86.61 parts in 100 
are lead, 13.39 are sulphur. 

If the ore has no lead in it, the above work is 
omitted entirely. The likelihood of lead may be 
tested qualitatively from a small quantity dissolved, 
precipitated by hydrogen sulphide, and the precipi¬ 
tate determined by the blow-pipe on charcoal giving 
the lead coating, and with soda, the metallic globule. 

6. To Separate the Copper. The filtrate re¬ 
maining after the insoluble lead sulphate was 
filtered off, as in No. 4, now contains whatever the 
mineral is composed of, copper, iron, nickel, cobalt, 
etc. Dilute the filtrate to about 500 c.c., heat to 
nearly boiling, and pass hydrogen sulphide through 
it, and thus precipitate all the copper after adding 
1 or 2 c.c. of hydrochloric acid. Filter, wash, dry, 
and ignite the precipitate in an atmosphere of 
hydrogen. The result will be pure CU 2 S, from 
which the copper may be ascertained as 79.85 parts 
of the whole weight of CU 2 S. 

7. Concentrate by evaporization the filtrate of 
No. 6 remaining after the copper was separated, add 
1 or 2 c.c. of nitric acid, and boil the filtrate two or 
three minutes, let it become nearly cold, add an 
excess of ammonia, and let it stand in a warm place 
half an hour. 


164 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

8. Filter the precipitate into a porcelain dish and 
redissolve the iron oxide (hydroxide) with hydro¬ 
chloric acid poured slowly into the filter, complete 
washing of the filter with hot water, reduce the free 
acid in the filtrate with ammonia, then very nearly 
neutralize it carefully with sodium (metallic) or 
ammonium carbonate; the solution must remain 
clear, though dark red, if much iron is present. 
Now add a strong neutral solution of ammonium or 
sodium acetate (not in large excess), and then boil 
a short time. When rightly performed the iron 
oxide precipitate will settle rapidly, and the super¬ 
natant liquor will be clear. Wash rapidly with 
boiling water, and, at first, separate the clear part 
by decantation, and then filter. If great exactitude 
is required, redissolve in hydrochloric acid, and once 
more precipitate with the acetate just as before. 
Add this filtrate to the ammoniacal filtrate men¬ 
tioned at the beginning of No. 7 paragraph. 

The iron is now separated as basic ferric acetate, 
and it is almost, if not entirel}", separated from all 
nickel and cobalt which are yet in solution. 

9. The first filtrate. No. 7, contains all the nickel 
and cobalt. It must now be concentrated to about 
250 c.c. If it is slightly acid, proceed ; if not, then 
add muriatic acid until it is very slightly acid. 
Now heat the filtrate in a beaker to gentle boiling, 
and pass iiydrogen sulphide through the liquid. A 
black precipitate follows, if nickel sulphide with 
cobalt sulphide, they are together. 

10. Filter, wash, and dry; incinerate the filter- 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 165 

paper with the precipitate if very small in quantity, 
otherwise separately; heat in porcelain crucible. 
Dissolve in aqua regia (nitro-inuriatic acid), and 
treat it till only yellow sulphur remains, evaporate 
and expose the residue to a heat of 180° Fah. to 
make any silica insoluble. Moisten with a few 
drops of muriatic acid, add 20 c.c. of water to dis¬ 
solve the salts, add some solution of hydrogen sul¬ 
phide to separate any copper or lead which may 
have escaped separation, filter into a porcelain disli 
and concentrate all to about 100 c.c. 

11. Boil gently, and while boiling add pure so¬ 
dium sarbonate solution until the liquid is slightly 
alkaline. Continue boiling a few minutes, add a 
few grains of pure soda solution (sodium hydroxide). 
This is best prepared freshly by dropping a small 
ball of metallic sodium into a half ounce of water 
in a platinum dish or crucible, or, not so well, in a 
porcelain dish. Heat to boiling again a few min¬ 
utes till all the nickel and cobalt are precipitated, 
wash the precipitate with boiling hot water by de¬ 
cantation, and finally on the filter, until a drop on 
polished platinum shows no residue. After drying 
the precipitate remove it to a piece of glazed paper; 
cover with a bell glass. Then incinerate the filter 
till the carbon has entirely disappeared, add it to 
the precipitate already obtained, place all in a cru¬ 
cible, cover it and expose to heat to redness, and, 
finally, if desired, reduce the oxides to the metallic 
condition by ignition under a stream of hydrogen. 

12. As this process of reduction to metal is some- 


166 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

times very useful, vve give a simple plan of appa¬ 
ratus for this purpose. Get a half pint, wide¬ 
mouthed pickle bottle and introduce two glass tubes 
of a quarter inch diameter into a cork fitting the. 
mouth, after having nicely adjusted the cork to the 
mouth of the bottle. The tubes may be easily bent 
and blown as in A B, Fig. 54 below, over the fiame 
of an alcohol lamp, before permanently fastening 
them in place. To blow a funnel end, heat the 
end of the tube to softness and mash it together, 
hermetically seal, then reheat rapidl}^ roll it be¬ 
tween finger and thumb while gently blowing at 
the other end until swollen large enough, then, 
with pincers, break it or chip it off; if enlarged 
twice or three times the diameter it is large enough 
for the purpose. The tubes intended to be bent 
should be rapidly rotated in the enlarged flame un¬ 
til red-hot, and then bent to the right angle and 
gradually cooled. 

It is well to make another of these bottles for dry¬ 
ing the hydrogen, as in B. Introduce the tube as 
shown in the figure, wherein B represents the drying 
bottle in which is placed a quantity of fragments of 
chloride of calcium of the size of peas or even 
smaller. In putting the cork with tubes into this 
bottle, the bottle should be on its side and rolled 
while introducing the longer tube into the calcium 
chloride, so. that the fragments may not obstruct the 
tube as it is pushed down. The exit tube may be 
bent or straight, and properly sized india-rubber 
tubing may be fitted over the ends so as to make 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 167 

connections. A common clay stem smoking pipe 
arranged as in the figure, with the bowl inverted 
into the crucible which is placed on a wire support 
on a retort stand, c, is quite sufficient. The usual 
alcohol blast lamp, d, is necessary for this operation. 
To put the apparatus to work it is only necessary to 
introduce some three or four ounces of broken up 
pieces of zinc into A, together with water sufficient 
to half fill the bottle, cork up with the tubes ar- 


Fig. 54. 



ranged as above, and pour into the funnel-shaped 
tube common oil of vitriol gradually, until the gas 
begins to come over, then stop as the water becomes 
heated, and the gas will increase without addition. 
You may noAV prepare your crucible, and, when in 
place, and the tubes all arranged, the gas may be 
made to come over more rapidly by adding a little 
more oil of vitriol drop by drop. 

13. The crucible should be weighed after cooling 
, and replaced, the flame of the blast lamp relighted. 






























168 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

and red heat renewed under the hydrogen apparatus 
until the crucible, when again weighed, shows no 
alteration in weight. The oxide now has been re¬ 
duced to the pure metal form, and it may then be 
cooled. 

In the case of the analysis we are now upon, the 
metallic reduction will be that of both nickel and 
cobalt, and they will appear as a dark powder in 
the bottom of the crucible. 

When the hydrogen apparatus is no longer to be 
used, the generator bottle A should be washed 
thoroughly and the zinc also ; the latter may be left 
in the bottle and the cork replaced loosely, but the 
cork must be removed from bottle B, and a tight- 
fitting cork be used in its place, as the chloride may 
be used again. All is ready for another operation 
by simply replacing and adding water and acid as 
before. 

14. Separation of Nickel and Cobalt. The 
two metals should be weighed in order that if the 
cobalt be found, the nickel may be known by the 
difference. Dissolve the two metals in nitric acid 
and evaporate them till there is no free nitric acid. 
Next add about 6 to 8 grams (100 grains), po¬ 
tassium nitrite dissolved in 10 to 15 c.c. of hot 
water. If any fiocculent particles appear, add a 
little acetic acid, just sufficient to dissolve them, and 
now a precipitate of cobalt (as tripotassium cobaltic 
nitrite), takes place slowly. The whole volume 
should now be 15 to 20 c.c. Cover the beaker con¬ 
taining it with glass, and set it aside in a warm 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NK’KEL, COBALT, ETC. 169 

place for twenty-four hours. Filter, wash with a 
solution of potassium acetate (which may be made 
by neutralizing acetic acid with crystallized potas¬ 
sium bicarbonate, leaving the solution slightly 
acid), and proceed to more efficiently separate the 
cobalt as a metal, as follows :— 

Dilute the filtrate, heat, and precipitate with 
caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), M^ash the greater 
part of the saline matter out and then dissolve the 
precipitate in nitric acid, evaporate to dryness, add 
two or three drops of nitric acid and dissolve in a 
small volume of water, filter, concentrate the filtrate, 
and repeat the process of separation with potassium 
nitrite as before. Put this precipitate, with the 
filter-paper, into a beaker, add about 100 c.c. of 
water, heat, add muriatic acid to dissolve it, separate 
the filter-paper by filtering it and washing it in a 
funnel, evaporate the solution on a water-bath, and 
let it remain on the water-bath two or three hours 
to render the silica insoluble, then moisten with 
muriatic acid, add water, filter, and convert the co¬ 
balt to metallic form, as was done before for both 
nickel and cobalt, namely, as in paragraph No. 11. 
The cobalt is now entirely separate from the nickel. 
Weigh it, and by difference from the weight of the 
two determine the weight of nickel as suggested in 
No. 14. The amount of nickel is now known by 
weight, and readily compared with the whole 
amount of the original weight of ore employed at 
the beginning. 

If the above process is carefully followed out, in a 


170 prospfx'tor’s field-book and guide. 

mineral containing lead, copper, iron, cobalt, and 
nickel, the cobalt and nickel are separated with 
great exactness. 

But the main ore of nickel is pyrrliotite, and, as 
in the Gap Mine, Lancaster Co., renn., and in the 
Sudbury Mines, Canada, pyrrliotite contains only 
iron and nickel, seldom cobalt enough to notice. 
So that much less work is required, as follows : Pul¬ 
verize, dissolve in muriatic acid in a flask. If 
much free acid is present, nearly neutralize with 
sodium or ammonium carbonate; the solution should 
be clear, but, if there is much ferric chloride, it 
should be of a deep-red color; now do as directed 
in No. 8, to add the ammonium acetate, and pro¬ 
ceed as before. 

In view of the importance of nickel-steel armor 
plates, prospecting for nickel is a work of unusual 
interest. In addition to the discovery of the nickel 
pyrrliotite in Canada, which we have already no¬ 
ticed, new discoveries have been reported from New 
Caledonia, an island 900 miles east of Australia. 
The ore is a nickel silicate and has been named 
Garnierite, after M. Gamier, its discoverer. It is 
also found in Oregon. It contains from 8 to 10 per 
cent, of nickel, has a green color and jdelds an un¬ 
colored streak. 

The mines at the Gap, Lancaster Co., Penna., are 
considered nearly, if not quite exhausted, and the 
miners are looking for richer veins of ore. There 
is now, as may readily be imagined, increased de¬ 
mand for nickel ores. 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 171 

Cobalt.— Cobalt does not occur in native form. 
The folloAving are the minerals of importance : 

Smaltite seems to he composed of cobalt, nickel, 
iron, and arsenic; the typical form is arsenic 72.1, 
cobalt 9.4, nickel 9.5, iron 9 100. Hardness 
5.5-6, specific gravity 6.4-7.2. Color, tin-white, 
sometimes iridescent. Streak, grayish-black. Brittle, 
Before the blow-pipe, on charcoal with soda, the 
arsenious acid fumes are given off, and the garlic 
smell is plainly observed. With borax for the bead 
the assay may be made to show (with successive 
heatings), the reactions first of iron, then cobalt, and 
nickel, provided the operator is skillful in oxidizing 
the powdered ore by cautious degrees; when one 
borax bead shows iron reaction by a certain amount 
of carefully applied 0 F to the bead, try another 
with increased degree of oxidization until you per¬ 
ceive the cobalt blue and nickel brown, if both are 
present. 

CoBALTiTE is composed of sulphur, arsenic, and 
cobalt in the typical proportions of 19.3, 45.2, 35.5 = 
100, but it frequently, as a mineral, contains iron. 
Hardness 5.5, specific gravity 6-6.3. Under the 
blow-jiipe, in an open tube, it sends off sulphurous 
fumes and a sublimate of arsenous acid. With 
borax bead gives the blue of cobalt. Dissolves in 
warm nitric acid, separating the sulphur and 
arsenic. 

Cobaltite and smaltite are valuable as affording 
the greater part of smalt of commerce, and the for¬ 
mer is used in porcelain painting. 


172 prospectorIs field-book and guide. 

Erythrite is a soft (1.5-2.5), peach-red mineral 
of specific gravity 2.9, transparent or translucent, 
sometimes pearl- or greenish-gray. 

Composition, typical, arsenic 38.43, cobalt oxide 
37.55, water 24.02 = 100. 

In a closed tube, under blow-pipe, it yields water 
and turns bluish. Gives tlie usual blue for cobalt 
in the borax bead. 

Valuable for the manufacture of smalt. It is 
sometimes known as cohalt bloom” 

Linnueite. This is valuable for the large amount 
of both cobalt and nickel it sometimes contains. 
Hardness 5.5, specific gravity 4.8-5 ; metallic lustre; 
color, pale steel-gray, tarnishing to red. Composi¬ 
tion, sulphur 42, cobalt 58 = 100, but cobalt is re¬ 
placed by large amounts of nickel, and sometimes 
copper. Some specimens from Mineral Hill, Mary¬ 
land, and from Missouri, have yielded as high as 
29.56 and 30 per cent, nickel, with 21 to 25 per 
cent, cobalt in the same specimen, but with a small 
amount of iron (3 per cent.). 

Earthy Cobalt, or Cobalt Wad {Asholite is the 
mineralogical name), occurs as a bog ore, with man¬ 
ganese, iron and copper, and nickel. It is blue- 
black at times, has a hardness of 1 to 1.5, and 
specific gravity of 2.2 to 2.6. It sometimes contains 
up to 35 per cent, of cobalt oxide. 

Its geological position is in the earlier rocks, as 
the chlorite slates with chalcopyrite, blende, and 
pyrite, as in Maryland. Sometimes the ore is found 
in cavities in the limestone of the carboniferous age, 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 173 

as in Great Britain. The tin-white cobalt is found 
in the gneissic and primitive rocks, as in Norway. 
LinnaBite is found at Mine la Motte, Mo., in masses, 
sometimes in octahedral crystals among its rich ores 
of lead and nickel. 

Cadmium. Of this mineral but one ore is known, 
namely, the sulphide, or Greenockite, with 77.7 
per cent, cadmium. Color, honey to orange-yellow 
and brick-red ; in hexagonal prisms ; hardness 3 to 
3.5 ; specific gravity 4.5 to 4.908. Before the blow¬ 
pipe, on charcoal with soda, it yields a red-brown 
deposit. Cadmium is frequently associated with 
zinc ores, the blende of Eaton, for instance, contain¬ 
ing 3.4 per cent. 

Metallic cadmium is white like tin, and shares 
with it the property of emitting a crackling sound 
when bent. It is so soft that it leaves a mark upon 
paper. 


CHAPTER XL 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, AND OTHER 
MINERALS. 

Aluminium is not found native. It is the basis 
of all clays which are oxides of aluminium com¬ 
bined with various other substances, as silex, iron, 
magnesia, and lime, hut chiefly silex, so that clay 
may be known, chemically, as a silicate of alumina. 

The sapphire and true ruby are pure crystallized 
oxides of aluminium. Emery and corundum are 
impure oxides. 

It is formed from the breaking down or wear, 
chiefl}^ of the feldspathic rocks or elements of granite 
or gneiss and porphyries. Where great masses have 
been formed they make up the kaolin used in the 
manufacture of porcelain. 

The most valuable kaolins are those entirely free 
from iron. This is easily tested by the blow-pipe, 
since, when the kaolin is heated, it changes from 
white to brown, a proof that iron is present. Kaolin 
beds without any trace of iron are valuable. 

Corundum is an oxide of aluminium, and is val¬ 
uable for its abrasive qualities. It has a hardness of 
9, being in this respect only inferior to the diamond, 
and a speciflc gravity of 3.9 to 4.2. It easily 
scratches topaz and quartz. It is generally found 
(174) 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 175 

associated with the crystalline rocks, as granular 
limestone, gneiss, mica slate, chlorite slate. It 
occurs of many colors, blue, black, also red, green, 
yellow, white. Dull crystals are called corundum, 
and gray or black granular varieties Emery. The 
blue variety is called Sapphire, the most esteemed 
shade being deep velvet blue ; the blood-red variety 
is the Oriental Ruby, which can be readily dis¬ 
tinguished from other red gems by its superior 
hardness; the bright yellow variety is the Oriental 
Topaz, distinguished by its hardness from the topaz, 
yellow tourmaline and false topaz ; the bright green 
is the Oriental Emerald ; the bright violet. 
Oriental Amethyst. One variety exhibits a six- 
rayed star inside the prism, and is called the 
Asterias. Ruby is the most highly prized form of 
this mineral. 

In the metal aluminium, it is probable that the 
finer clays will serve in the future as the source, 
although at present artificial refuse from certain 
manufactures has been largely used, together with 
some minerals, as cryolite, bauxite, etc. 

Cryolite is a double fluoride of aluminium and 
sodium, and contains sometimes 13 per cent, of al¬ 
uminium. At present it is imported from Green¬ 
land, but it exists and is reported as found in the 
United States. 

Hardness 2.5, specific gravity 3. It is white, with 
various shades of 3 ^ellow and light brown, easily 
fusible in a candle flame. Translucent; brittle. 

With the blow-pipe, on charcoal, it fuses to a 


176 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

clear bead, becoming opaque on cooling. After 
long blowing with 0 F the assay spreads out, the 
fluoride of sodium sinks into the coal, and the suffo¬ 
cating odor of fluorine is given off and the alumina 
remains as a crust, which, if touched with a little' 
cobalt solution and gently heated, gives a blue color 
of alumina. If some of the cryolite is powdered 
and placed near the open end of a glass tube and 
the flame from the blow-pipe turned carefully on it, 
the fluorine will be freed and will etch the glass, 
showing corrosion and proving the presence of 
fluorine. 

Bauxite. This mineral is soft and granular, and 
abounds in some places. It is easily worked, and, 
although it contains only from 50 to 70 per cent, 
of the oxide of aluminium, it has only a small per 
cent, of impurity beside the water of combination. 
It is supposed to be the most economical ore for the 
production of aluminium. The finely pulverized 
mineral is mixed with sodium carbonate, 3 of the 
latter to 1 of the former, heated below the melting 
point, the mass well stirred all the time until, when 
any portion is treated with an acid, there is no effer¬ 
vescence. The mass is taken out of the heat, ground 
and lixiviated with hot water, which extracts the 
sodium aluminate in solution, leaving the silica and 
iron insoluble. The alumina is precipitated from 
the clear solution by means of carbonic acid gas 
forming sodium carbonate, while the alumina settles 
to the bottom of the vessel. This is washed with 
hot water mi dried, From this the metal is forme4 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 177 

chiefly by electrolysis from the pure oxide or from 
its salts, as reported by Alfred E. Hunt.* 

Bauxite is a ferruginous clay of dull lustre and 
of various colors, specific gravity 2.55, the impuri¬ 
ties being, generally, a small quantity of silica with 
a sesquioxide of iron and water. It is soluble in 
sulphuric acid. 

Deposits of bauxite have been found in Alabama, 
Georgia and Arkansas. The ore occurs associated 
with limonites and kaolins in irregular beds, in the 
region underlaid by the Knox dolomite of the Lower 
Silurian formation. In Alabama these occurrences 
are always near to the foot-hills of the mountains 
formed of the Weisner quartzite or sandstone, which 
in Alabama is a member of the Cambrian. The 
bauxite, therefore, seems to be associated chiefly 
with the lower beds of the Knox dolomite. In 
Georgia the bauxite occurs in the same formation, 
and in Arkansas in territorial areas and in the 
neighborhood of eruptive syenites. 

There are some rich clays, existing in large quan¬ 
tities, which, when digested with sulphuric acid, 
part with their silica; and other processes may be 
found for preparing clay so as to eliminate both iron 
and silica, which detracts from the purity of the 
metal aluminium. 

There are at Gay Head, on the west end of Mar¬ 
tha’s Vineyard, immense cliffs of clay of several 
colors. Some of this clay is nearly white, and shows 

* Technology Quarterly, Vol. IV., No. 1, April, 1891. 

12 


178 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

little or no iron under the blow-pipe. There are 
tons of it which show very little silica, if the trial of 
small quantities proves what the masses are. Clays 
of this kind may yet prove to be the chief economic 
source. 

ANTIMONY. This metal is usually found asso¬ 
ciated with arsenic and sulphur, the chief ore being 

Stibnite, which is a sulphide of antimony, anti¬ 
mony 71.8, sulphur 28.2. This ore affords nearly 
all the antimony of commerce. Hardness 2, gravity 
4.5, metallic lustre; color and streak lead-gray, sec- 
tile. When pure, perfectly soluble in muriatic acid. 

Before the blow-pipe, on charcoal, it fuses, spreads 
out, gives sulphurous and antimonions fumes, coats 
the coal with white oxide of antimony; this coat 
treated in R F tinges the flame greenish-blue. 

^Geology. It is found in veins in some places, 
as in Wolfsberg, in the Hartz, and other localities. 
Abundant in the granitic ranges south side of Tu¬ 
lare Valley, near the pass of South Amedia, South 
Central California. Found in the metamorphic 
rocks. It occurs with ores of silver, lead, and 
zinc, when it gives great trouble in purifying those 
metals. 

MANGANESE. The ores of manganese are di¬ 
vided into three general classes :— 

1. Manganese ores. 

2. Manganiferous iron ores. 

3. Argentiferous manganese ores. 

WAD is the name given to manganese oxide. It 
is found in earthy compact masses of a dark brown 
color, cliiefly oxide of manganese and water. 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 179 

Easily recognized under the blow-pipe, as it gives 
(in minute quantities), in the borax bead, a violet 
color in the 0 F, but disappears when the R F is 
turned upon it, and reappears when the 0 E is re¬ 
peated. 

It is found in beds varying from several inches to 
a foot or more in thickness. Hardness 1 to 3, spe¬ 
cific gravity 2.3 to 3.7. Wad is used as a flux in 
iron smelting, and in a lixiviated state as a paint. 

Pyrolusite. This is the peroxide or dioxide 
with 63.2 per cent, of manganese and 36.8 per cent, 
oxygen. Its crystalline form is the rhombic prism 
and it generally occurs in the form of minute cr 3 ^s- 
tals grouped together and radiating from a common 
centre. It has an iron-black or steel-gray color, a 
semi-metallic lustre and yields a black streak. Spe¬ 
cific gravity 4.7 to 5 ; hardness 1.5 to 2.5 ; infusible 
before the blow-pipe, and acquires a red-brown color. 
On heating it generally yields some water and loses 
12 per cent, of oxygen. With borax, soda and mi¬ 
crocosm ic salt it shows manganese reaction. It dis¬ 
solves in hydrochloric acid, when heated, with vig¬ 
orous evolution of hydrogen. 

PsiLOMELANE occurs luassive, frequently shelly, 
seldom fibrous; color, iron-black to bluish-black, 
streak bluish-black and shining; fracture, con- 
choidal to smooth. Specific gravity 4.1 to 4.2, hard¬ 
ness 5.5 to 6. Before the blow-pipe it ^delds man¬ 
ganic oxide, giving off oxygen. It is soluble in 
hydrochloric acid, chlorine being evolved. The 
powdered ore colors sulphuric acid red. Psilome- 


180 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


lane contains from 40 to 50 per cent, of manganese, 
and some baryta and potassa. A solution in hydro¬ 
chloric acid of the variety containing baryta gives a 
heavy white precipitate with sulphuric acid. 

Manganese Carbonate {Rhodoclirosite is the 
mineralogical name) occurs in spherical and nodular 
aggregations of cauliform texture or in compact 
masses of granular texture. It is rose-red to rasp¬ 
berry-red in color, by weathering frequently brown¬ 
ish, with a glassy or mother-of-pearl lustre. It 
cleaves like calcite. It contains 61.4 per cent, of 
manganese protoxide and 38.6 per cent, of carbonic 
acid, with part of manganese frequently replaced by 
calcium, magnesium, or iron. Specific gravity 3.3 
to 3.6 ; hardness 3.5 to 4.5. Before the blow-pipe it 
is infusible and becomes black. From similar min¬ 
erals it is distinguished by its rose-color and the 
manganese reaction with soda and borax ; and from 
silicate of manganese by its inferior hardness, its 
effervescence with acids and its non-fusibility. 

Tlie manganese in ores of the third class is valu¬ 
able, even where the silver alone is sought, as it 
facilitates the work whereby the silver is extracted ; 
this it does because of its fluxing quality. 

Virginia, Georgia and Arkansas are the chief 
producing States. 

The geological position of manganese in some 
places seems to be the same as with the red hematite, 
as in Virginia. 

In Tennessee it is found in the foot-hills of the 
mountains, four miles from Newport, Cocke Co., in 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 181 


pockets, and is a black oxide of 48 per cent, metallic 
manganese. 

In Vermont it is found near a siliceous limestone, 
and in the vicinity of brown hematite ores. It 
exists in the triassic formation in Bosnia. 

In North Carolina it is found in light-colored 
gneissic schists. 

OTHER USEFUL MINERALS. 

Alum is hydrated sulphate of potash and alumina, 
and is best known by its astringent sweetish taste. 
Hardness 2 to 2.5. Specific gravit}^ 1.8. Soluble 
in its own weight of boiling water. Found incrust- 
ing and impregnating dark slaty rocks, with yellow 
streaks. Used in dyeing and calico printing, 
candle-making, dressing skins, clarifying liquors, 
and in pharmacy. 

Apatite, Phosphate of Lime, occurs in six-sided 
prisms, also in masses. It is transparent or opaque ; 
colorless, white, yellowish, green, violet, with a 
glassy lustre, and yields always a white streak. 
Fracture, conchoidal or uneven. Specific gravity 
3.16 to 3.22 ; hardness 5. In thin laminae it is fus¬ 
ible with difficulty before the blow-pipe; when 
moistened with sulphuric acid tinges the flame 
greenish. It is soluble in hydrochloric and nitric 
acids without effervescence. From beryl it is dis¬ 
tinguished by its.inferior hardness and its solubility 
in acids. It occurs in gneiss, slate, crystalline lime¬ 
stone and mica schist. It is used in the manufac¬ 
ture of fertilizers. It contains phosphoric acid, lime 
and fluorine. 


182 prospeotok’s field-book and guide. 


Arsenic is found in the mineral kingdom partly 
in a metallic state, partly in combination with 
oxygen, sulphur and other bodies. 

1. Native Arsenic occurs seldom distinctly crystal¬ 
lized, but usually in fine granular, spherical or nod¬ 
ular masses. Specific gravity 5.7 to 5.8 ; hardness 
3.5; brittle; uneven and fine-grained fracture; 
metallic lustre; color, whitish lead-gray, usually 
with a grayish-black tarnish ; evolves an odor of 
garlic on breaking; contains occasionally more or 
less iroji, cobalt, nickel, antimony and silver. Be¬ 
fore the blow-pipe it quickly volatilizes before fusing, 
giving off white fumes having an odor of garlic. 
Native arsenic occurs especially in veins in crystal¬ 
line slates and transition rocks in subordinate quan¬ 
tities associated with ores of silver, lead, cobalt and 
nickel. 

2. Realgar, with 70.029 per cent, of arsenic and 
29.971 per cent, sulphur. Color, red ; crystallizes 
clinorhombic; fracture conchoidal to splintery; 
hardness 1.5 to 2.0 ; specific gravity 3.4 to 3.6. It 
is but slightly affected by acids; soluble with a de¬ 
posit of sulphur in aqua regia, and in concentrated 
i)otash lye with separation of dark brown sulphuret 
of arsenic. From ruby silver and cinnabar, it is 
readily distinguished by it^ inferior hardness, 
slighter specific gravity and orange-yellow streak, 
the streak of the two above-mentioned minerals be¬ 
ing cochineal-red. 

3. Orpiment, with 60.9 per cent, of arsenic and 
39.1 per cent, of sulphur, occurs in nature, but for 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 183 

industrial purposes is mostly artificially prepared. 
The mineral has a lustrous lemon-yellow or orange- 
yellow color, is cleavable into thin, flexible, trans¬ 
parent laminse ; hardness 1.5 to 2 ; specific gravity 
3.4 to 3.5 ; soluble in nitric acid, potash lye and 
ammonia. 

Asbestos. Fibrous. Color, green or white. The 
asbestos of commerce is practically a finely fibrous 
form of serpentine, that is to say, it is essentially a 
hydrated silica of magnesia. Every deposit of ser¬ 
pentine is a possible repository of asbestos. It 
occurs in seams half an inch to several inches in 
width, running parallel or crossing one another, the 
width of each seam making the length of the fibre. 
Canada furnishes at present a large portion of the 
world’s supply of asbestos; the profitable mining, 
however, is at present confined to a small area in 
the great serpentine belt of the Province of Quebec, 
that lies to the south of the St. Lawrence River. 
In the form of a rough cloth asbestos is used for 
covering steam-pipes, and for many purposes re¬ 
quiring an incombustible material. 

Barytes, or barium sulphate, commonly called 
heavy spar, occurs in tabular, glassy crystals, and 
also in dull masses in veins of various rock forma¬ 
tions. Color, white or tinted ; transparent or trans¬ 
lucent ; lustre, vitreous or pearly. Specific gravity, 
4.3 to 4.7. Hardness, 3 to 3.5. It is readily dis¬ 
tinguished by its great comparative weight. When 
heated in the blow-pipe flame splinters fly off the 
crystals. It fuses with difficulty, and imparts a 


184 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


green tinge to the flame. After fusion with soda, 
it stains silver coin black. It is not acted upon by 
acids. 

In the United States barytes is found in man}" 
places, it being mined in Virginia, Missouri, New 
Jersey and other states. It frequently occurs in 
connection with lead and zinc deposits forming the 
gangue of the metal-bearing vein. The best 
varieties of barytes are the white and gray. The 
chief use of barytes is as pigment. 

Borax. Monoclinic. Fracture, conchoidal. Lus¬ 
tre, vitreous to resinous. Color, white, sometimes 
grayish, bluish or greenish. Streak, white. Trans¬ 
lucent to opaque. Principal producing localities 
in the United States: the Columbus and Rhodes 
marshes in Nevada, the Saline marshes in Califor¬ 
nia. In the Calico district the borate of lime is 
taken from a fissure vein, and this district is the 
only place in the world where deep mining for 
borax is carried on. 

Coal (Mineral). Massive, uncrystalline. Color, 
black or brown; opaque. Brittle or imperfectly 
sectile. Hardness 0.5 to 2.5. Specific gravity 1.2 
to 1.80. Coal is composed of carbon with some 
oxygen and hydrogen, more or less moisture, and 
traces also of nitrogen, besides some earthy material 
which constitutes the ash. 

Anthracite {Glance coal, Stone coal.) Lustre high, 
not resinous, sometimes submetallic. Color, gray- 
black. Hardness 2 to 2.5. Specific gravity, if pure, 
1.57 to 1.67. Fracture often conchoidal. Good 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 185 

anthracite contains 78 to 88 per cent, of fixed 
carbon. 

Bituminous coal. Color, black. Lustre, usually 
somewhat resinous. Hardness 1.5 to 2; specific 
gravity 1.2 to 1.4. Contains usually 75 to 85 per 
cent, of carbon. 

Cannel coal. Very compact and even in texture, 
with little lustre, and fracture largely concboidal. 

Brown coal (often called lignite). Color, black to 
brownish black. Contains 52 to 65 per cent, of 
fixed carbon. 

Jet resembles cannel coal, but is harder, of a 
deeper black and higher lustre. It takes a brilliant 
polish and is set in jewelry. 

Dolomite is composed of carbonic acid, lime, 
ipagnesia. It occurs in rhombohedrons, faces often 
curved. It is frequently granular or massive; white 
or dull tinted ; and glassy or pearly. Specific grav¬ 
ity 2.8 to 2.9 ; hardness 3.5 to 4. Effervesces in 
nitric acid and dissolves more slowly than calc spar. 
Yields quicklime when burnt. Occurs in extensive 
beds of various ages like limestone. It is used as a 
building-stone and in the manufacture of Epsom 
salts. It is difficult to distinguish from calcite 
without chemical analysis. 

Feldspak, Okthoclase, is composed of silica, 
alumina, potash or soda (lime). Crystallized or in 
irregular masses. Opaque; usually flesh red or 
white, or of various dull tints. Lustre, glassy or 
pearly ; fracture, irregular, but in some directions it 
splits with an even, glimmering cleavage face. 


186 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

specific gravity 2.3 to 2,8 ; hardness 6. Before the 
blow-pipe it fuses with difficulty ; is not touched by 
acids. Where found in sufficient quantity to be of 
industrial value, it is usually obtained from veins 
in granite or pegmatite. The minerals associated 
with feldspar are chiefly quartz and mica, while 
tourmaline and topaz also occur commonly. Feld¬ 
spar is, to a limited extent, employed in the manu¬ 
facture of glass, hut the chief use for it is as a china 
glaze and as a glass-forming ingredient in the body 
of the porcelains. 

Fluorspar, Fluorite, consists of 48.7 per cent, 
of fluorine and 51.3 per cent, of calcium. It occurs 
in cubes or octahedrons, and also in masses. It is 
transparent or opaque; white or light violet, blue, 
green or yellow; sometimes layers of different tints « 
in the same piece. Lustre, glassy. It breaks with 
smooth cleavage planes parallel to the octahedral 
faces. Specific gravity 3 to 3.2 ; hardness 4. Be¬ 
fore the blow-pipe it is fusible with difficulty to an 
enamel. It is used in the manufacture of hydro¬ 
fluoric acid, with which glass is etched, and also as 
a flux for copper and other ores. Sometimes it is 
employed for ornaments, especially massive pieces, 
they taking a high polish. It occurs in veins with 
lead and silver ores. 

Graphite, Plumbago, Blacklead, consists of 
carbon. It occurs in hexagonal crystals, but usually 
in foliated or massive layers. Color, steel gray to 
bluish black. Hardness very slight, 0.5 to 1. Soils 
the fingers, makes a mark upon paper, and feels 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 187 

greasy. The specific gravities of different kinds of 
graphite vary according to the content of foreign 
admixtures, but lie within the limits of 2.105 and 
2.5857. Graphite is not affected by acids and 
strongly resists other chemical agents. It is largely 
used in the manufacture of pencils, crucibles, stove 
polish, and lubricants for heavy machinery. It is 
found in various parts of the earth, chiefly in crys¬ 
talline limestone, in gneiss and mica schists, fre¬ 
quently replacing the mica in the latter so that they 
become actual graphite schists. Graphite is ex¬ 
tensively mined at Graphite, Warren Co., N. Y., 
and at Cranston, R. I. In the Rocky Mountains 
veins of graphite of considerable size have been 
found in Wyoming and in Colorado, where it occurs 
in beds two feet thick, but very impure; in the coal 
measures of New Mexico, in Nevada, in Utah, and 
in the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

The value of graphite depends upon the amount of 
its carbon. To test the purity of graphite, pulverize 
and then dry at about 350° F. 20 grains of it; then 
place it in a tube of hard glass 4 to 5 inches long, 
half an inch wide, and closed on one end. Add 
twenty times as much dried oxide of lead and mix 
intimately. Weigh the tube and contents, and 
afterwards heat before the blow-pipe until the con¬ 
tents are completely fused and no longer evolve 
gases. Ten minutes will suffice for this. Allow 
the tube to cool and weigh it. The loss in weight 
is carbonic acid. For every 28 parts of loss there 
must have been 12 of carbon. 


188 prospector’s field-book: and guide. 

Gypsum is composed of sulphuric acid, lime and 
water. It occurs in prisms with oblique termina¬ 
tions, sometimes resembling an arrow-head. It is 
transparent or opaque, white or dull tinted, with a 
glassy, pearly or satin lustre. Cleavage occurs 
easily in one direction ; specific gravity 2.3 ; hard¬ 
ness 2 ; can be readily cut with the knife. In the 
blow-pipe flame it becomes white and opaque with¬ 
out fusing, and can then be easily crumbled between 
the fingers. Nitric acid does not cause effervescence. 
It occurs in fissures and in stratified rocks, often 
forming extensive beds. When pure w^hite it is 
called Alabaster ; when transparent Selenite, and 
wdien fibrous Satin Spar. When burnt it forms 
Plaster of Paris. It is used for ornaments, and 
as a fertilizer. 

Lithographic limestone. The only stone yet 
found possessing the necessary qualifications for 
lithographic work is a fine-grained homogeneous 
limestone, breaking with an imperfect shell-like or 
conchoidal fracture, and, as a rule, of a gray, drab 
or yellowish color. A good stone must be suffi¬ 
ciently porous to absorb the greasy compound which 
holds the ink, soft enough to work readily under 
the engraver’s tool, yet not too soft, and must be 
firm in texture throughout and entirely free from 
all veins and inequalities. The best stone, and 
indeed the only one which has yet been found to 
fill satisfactorily all these requirements, occurs at 
Solenhofen, Bavaria. These beds are of Upper 
Jurassic age and form a mass of some eighty feet 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 189 

in thickness. The prevailing tints of the stone are 
yellowish or drab. 

In the United States materials partaking of the 
nature of lithographic stone have been reported 
from various localities, but we believe all have 
failed as a source of supply of the commercial 
article, though it is possible that ignorance as to the 
proper methods of quarrying may have been a 
cause of failure in some cases. 

Mica. Always crystallized in thin plates, which 
may be split into extremely thin flexible layers. 
Transparent in thin layers. Color, white, green, 
brown to black. Specific gravity 2.7 to 3.1. Hard¬ 
ness 2 to 2.5 ; very easily scratched with a knife. 
Before the blow-pipe it whitens, but is infusible ex¬ 
cept on thin edges. It is abundant in granite and 
schist. It is extensively used in sheets, and ground. 
Sheets are used for stoves and for insulating pur¬ 
poses in electrical plants. The ground material is 
used as a lubricant, and in making ornamental and 
fire-proof paint. The most valuable variety is the 
pure white in large sheets, though for electrical pur¬ 
poses, the amber-colored variety may be used. 
Spotted varieties are of little or no value. 

Molybdenum. The sulphide occurs native as 
Molybdenite in crystallolaminar masses or tabular 
crystals, having a strong metallic lustre and lead- 
gray color, and forming a greenish-black streak 
which is best seen by drawing a piece across a cliina 
plate. Specific gravity 4.5 to 4.6 ; hardness 1 to 
1.5 ; easily scratched by the naih It coutains 58,9 


190 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

of molybdenum and 41.1 per cent, of sulphur. It 
occurs sparingly in granite, syenite and chlorite 
schists, and is sometimes mistaken for graphite, from 
which it is, however, readily distinguished by the 
streak, that of graphite being black. Before the 
blow-pipe it is infusible, but tinges the flame faint 
green. Heated on charcoal for a long time it gives 
off a faint sulphurous odor and becomes encrusted 
white. Its chief use is in the preparation of a blue 
color. 

Nitre or saltpetre is composed of potash and 
nitric acid. It is soluble in water. It has a cool¬ 
ing taste, and is easily distinguished by the vivid 
manner in which it burns on red-hot charcoal. It 
is usually found native as an efflorescence on the 
soil. 

IvOCK .Salt has the character of ordinary table 
salt, but is more or less impure. Occurs in beds 
interstratified with sandstones and clays, which are 
usually of a red color and associated with gypsum. 
Specific gravity 2 to 2.25 ; hardness, 2 to 2.5. It 
contains 39.30 per cent, of sodium and 60.66 per 
cent, of chlorine, but most samples contain clay and 
a little lime and magnesia. The surface indications 
of rock salt are brine springs supporting a vegetation 
like that near the sea coast, also occasional sinking 
of the soil caused by the removal of the subter¬ 
ranean bed of salt by spring water. Bock salt is ob¬ 
tained by sinking wells, from which the brine is 
pumped and evaporated in large pans, or by min¬ 
ing, the same as for any other ore. 



ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 191 

Slate is an argillaceous shale easily recognized 
by its cleavability, and varies in color from light 
sea-green and gray to red, purple and black. It has 
been formed by sedimentary deposits, and now con¬ 
stitutes extensive beds in the Silurian formation. 

Sulphur. Native sulphur occurs crystallized or 
massive in volcanic regions and in beds of gypsum. 
Color, yellow; lustre, resinous; specific gravity 
2.1; hardness 1.5 to 2.5. It is fusible and burns 
with a blue flame and well known odor. It is fre¬ 
quently found contaminated with clay or pitch. 

Talc or Soapstone, called Steatite when mass¬ 
ive, is a silicate of magnesia. It is trimetric, 
foliated or massive, nearly opaque, of a white or 
green color, pearly lustre and greasy feel. Specific 
gravity 2.7 ; hardness 1 ; easily impressed by the 
nail, but impure varieties are much harder. It is 
readily distinguished by its greasy feel and pearly 
lustre; it is not attacked by boiling sulphuric acid. 
It is often applied to useful purposes, as for gas 
burners, a filling for paper, etc. 


CHAPTER XI]. 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 

Crude petroleum occurs only in the higher 
strata of rocks, it being never found in metamorphic 
rocks or crystalline formation. The Pennsylvania 
oil strata belong to the Devonian age, the anticlinal 
ridges being more favorable, it is said, than the 
synclinal ones. In Kentucky it occurs near the 
base of carboniferous limestone. In California it is 
found in strata belonging to the tertiary age, in 
Colorado and other western States in those belong¬ 
ing to the cretaceous, and in North Carolina in 
those belonging to the triassic. In West Virginia it 
occurs in strata belonging to the coal measures. 
Crude petroleum is a fluid of a dark color, sometimes 
black, and contains 84 to 88 per cent, of carbon, 
the rest hydrogen. 

In prospecting for petroleum, the prospector, be¬ 
sides the customary outfit, should carry a stick pro¬ 
vided with a long iron point. It is best to follow 
the courses of rivers and creeks upward, because the 
progress of the work will not then be impeded by 
the turbidity of the water. It is also advisable to 
make such excursions in the warm season of the 
year, because the oil exudes more freely at that time 
( 192 ) 


I’ETROLEUM, OP^OCEHITE, ASEHALT, PEAT. 193 

than in cooler weather, when espeeially heavy oils 
and mineral tar, or maltha, are readily converted 
into a butyraceous mass. It is also best to wait 
until the water in the rivers and creeks is low. 

Observe whether the surface of the w^ater exhibits 
variegated iridescent figures, this being especially 
the case in places where the water stands quietly or 
moves very little, for instance, in coves. Such an 
iridescent film, when found, may be due to petro¬ 
leum, but also to iron oxides and similar substances. 
However, by touching the surface of the water, for 
instance, with the iron-pointed stick, a film of oxide 
of iron may be disintegrated in angular pieces and 
very small flakes, which can be moved in any direc¬ 
tion, while oil films, when separated, reunite, and 
can be readily distinguished from allied indications 
b}" the many changes in color and figures. To be 
sure, films of very heavy oil may occasionally be 
met with which can be separated into angular pieces, 
behaving in this respect like iron oxides, but they 
almost invariably exhibit variegated movable rings 
of color. In swamps other substances may ])roduce 
a phenomenon similar to crude oil. 

When indications of oil have in this manner been 
discovered in a quiet part of a water-course, try to 
remove the iridescent film and turn up the bottom 
by several times driving the iron-pointed stick into 
it. If films of oil together with bubbles of gas re¬ 
appear, and this phenomenon occurs regularly after 
repeated experiments, there may be an outcrop of 
oil which deserves further examination. 

13 


194 PHOSPECTOR^S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 

However, if the work with the iron-pointed stick 
yields negative results, the oil must have floated 
down from above, and the examination of the water¬ 
course has to be continued until by means of the 
iron-pointed stick the source of the traces of crude 
oil has been found. This source will usually be in 
sandstone or other porous rock, and pieces knocked 
off with a hammer will exhibit the oil generally in 
the form of drops, partly upon the surfaces of the 
strata and partly also in small cavities. Instead of 
petroleum, mineral tar—a black smeary mass—will 
frequently be found. 

The rock itself is occasionally impregnated, which 
may be recognized partly by the odor and partly by 
the so-called water-test. For this purpose place a 
piece of the rock in quiet water, if possible exposed 
to the rays of the sun; if the rock contains oil the 
characteristic iridescent colors appear, as a rule, 
immediately upon the surface of the water. 

The fresh fracture of oil-bearing sandstone is, as a 
rule, of a darker color than that of adjoining rock. 
After rain, drops of water adhere to out-crops of oil 
sandstone in a manner similar to that observed on 
other fatty substances. 

If in prospecting in water courses oil-bearing 
sandstone has been found, the question has to be 
answered whether the prospector has to deal with 
contiguous rock or simply with an erratic block.. 
This question can, as a rule, be decided without 
much difficulty, from the position of the stratifica¬ 
tion and the petrographic character of the rock in 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 195 

question as compared with the surroundings. How¬ 
ever, if there is still a doubt, examine, by means of 
the water-test, the portions of rock in the natural 
continuation of the block. 

Should the oil-bearing rock actually turn out to 
be an erratic block, the rock from which it has been 
derived will he found above, either on the slopes or 
in the water-course itself. Knowing the petro¬ 
graphic character of the oil-bearing block, it will 
not be difficult to find in the neighborhood the rock 
from which it is derived. In the above-described 
manner the water-courses are traced to the limits of 
the territory. In carrying on the work of prospect¬ 
ing, it is advisable to examine specimens of all the 
sandstone by means of the water-test, since the latter 
frequently shows the presence of petroleum, though 
there may be no external indications of it. 

It may be mentioned, that in cooler weather the 
traces of oil upon the surface of the water do not 
yield blue, red, yellow, etc., figures, or at least not 
very vivid ones, but a milky coloration, which pos¬ 
sibly may also be due to other causes, so that deter¬ 
mination is more difficult and less certain. This is 
another reason why it is advisable to select warm 
days for prospecting. That oil may also be detected 
by its odor need scarcely be mentioned. 

In sioampy puddles iridescent fihnSj which do not 
consist of iron oxides, but of hydrocarbons formed 
by decomposition, are occasionally met with. It due 
to the latter cause, they do not reappear, or at least 
only to a slight extent, when removed with the iron- 


196 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

pointed stick from the surface of the water. How¬ 
ever, in examining the bottom, gas-bubbles gener¬ 
ally rise to the surface. Such puddles are examined 
first in the centre, and then by detaching pieces 
from the edges with the iron-pointed stick. 

Salses {mud-volcanoes), as well as abundant ex¬ 
halations of natural gas, if not derived from coal 
measures, are promising indications of the presence 
of petroleum in the territory. 

It need scarcely be mentioned that porous rock— 
if oil-bearing—justifies greater expectations than 
compact rock, and that larger quantities of oil may 
be looked for in oil-bearing sandstone of greater 
thickness. 

Although, generally speaking, a rich occurrence 
of oil may be inferred from abundant indications in 
the outcrop, the reverse is not always correct; in 
many oil-fields, now productive, the indications 
when first found were not especially encouraging. 

If the oil occurs in definite geological horizons, 
the latter must be particularly searched for and 
traced and carefully examined in the water-courses 
crossing them, not only because the strata are there 
most denuded so as to allow of the best view of their 
geological structure, but also because the oil, since 
the restraining cover is wanting, has the best chance 
of exuding there, and the cut of the water-course is 
generally one of the lowest points of the outcrop, 
where the most abundant exudation takes place in 
consequence of the greater head of pressure. 

A very important question is whether the oil 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 197 

occurs in beds or in veins. In answering this ques¬ 
tion the following particulars may serve as guiding 
points. 

AVith proportionately great denudation of the oil¬ 
bearing rock, it is sometimes possible directly to 
decide this question by observation, whereby the 
prospector, however, must take into consideration 
that even with a bed-like occurrence the oil will 
collect in small fissures. With a vein-like occur¬ 
rence a fissure may be traced to where it assumes 
larger dimensions in the strike and dip. 

If the prospector has to deal with a thick seam or 
stratum of sandstone, recognized as oil-bearing, im¬ 
bedded in another rock, for instance, shale, such 
seam should be traced and pieces freshly cut from it 
examined as to their content of oil by the water-test. 
If positive results are obtained, it may be inferred 
that the sandstone is the bearer of the oil, and that 
it is a bed-like occurrence. 

In a large mass of sandstone several outcrops of 
oil may sometimes be found at quite a distance from 
each other. If in tracing the stratum of the first 
outcrop according to its strike, the second, third, 
etc., outcrops are encountered, we have to do with a 
bed-like occurrence. This tracing of the stratum is 
effected by means of a compass, however, always with 
due consideration to the configuration of the ground. 
Suppose the cross-section of the sandstone bed with 
the declivity—the so-called outcrop-line—construed 
and traced. The outcrop-line will deviate the 
more from the straight line of strike, the flatter the 


198 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


strata and declivities lie. In tracing the same 
stratum, it must be observed whether its strike does 
not change, which, of course, will necessitate a 
change in the route of the prospector. 

If some promising outcrops of oil have been found. 


Fig. 55. 



which will justify the execution of more extensive 
and more expensive prospecting work, it is advis¬ 
able to mark accurately in the sketch-map, in addi¬ 
tion to the outcrops, the relative heights, generally 
determined by an aneroid barometer, the strike and 
dip of the stratum reduced to the astronomical 







PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 199 

meridian, and the outcrops of well characterized 
concordant strata, for instance, imbedded shale, S, 
Fig. 55, no matter whether they lie in the upcast or 
downcast of the crops of oil, a. The relative 
heights of one of these strata are determined in 
several places, selecting points which can be readily 
found upon the map, and, if possible, lie at the same 
height, which can be readily effected without essen¬ 
tial error with the assistance of an aneroid barometer 
by taking observations in rapid succession. The 
points of same height, for instance, 1 and 2, give 
the strike of the stratum for a greater distance. 

By connecting the outcrops of oil a by a line A A, 
and again determining in the latter several points 
of the same height, for instance, 3, 4 and 5, the 
general strike is again obtained. If the latter runs 
parallel with the general strike of the characteristic 
stratum S, previously traced, one is justified in in¬ 
ferring a beddike occurrence of oil, even if the con¬ 
strued dip of the outcrop line of oil corresponds with 
the observed local dip of the strata. 

In these investigations it is presupposed that the 
oil is recognized as exuding from the solid rock, an 
error regarding the outcrop of it being, therefore, 
excluded. Such an error may, however, occur when 
the outcrop is covered with loose masses of earth 
and rock, to the base of which the oil exuding 
above flows down hidden, and escapes further below 
by some accidental cause. 

A vein-like occurrence of oil will not show the 
above-mentioned conformities with the characteristic 


200 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

concordant strata. Such an occurrence presupposes 
a fissure, which is generally connected with a throw 
of the strata. This is most frequently established 
by the fact that a characteristic stratum suddenly 
ends and does not reappear in its natural continua¬ 
tion, but either to the right or left, or higher or 
lower. If two or more such points of disturbance 
have been found, their connecting line is the out¬ 
crop line of the fissure. Fig. 56. If this line passes 


Fig. 56. 



through the outcrop a, or if several outcrops lie in 
it, a vein-like occurrence of oil must be inferred. 

However, sometimes the oil occurs in a maze of 
smaller and larger fissures. This is shown in the 
construction by the fact that in tlie presence of sev¬ 
eral outcrops a linear distribution of the same can¬ 
not be recognized, and that the combinations yield 
the most varying results according to whether ex- 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 201 

ploration is carried on from the one or the other 
outcrop. Such occurrence presents uncommon dif¬ 
ficulties in prospecting. 

It need scarcely be mentioned that in prospecting 
for oil, it is of great importance to hunt up and map 
the anticlinals and their saddles, as well as faults. 

Tlie directions here given for prospecting may 
have to be modified according to local conditions. 
With a sufficient preliminary knowledge of geology, 
any difficulties will, as a rule, he readily overcome 
by thoroughly digesting the principles of the direc¬ 
tions given. 

As regards the quality of the surface oil, it must 
be remembered that it is not a criterion for the oil 
occurring at greater depth. The oil thickens on 
the surface of the earth, and with increasing density 
becomes viscous and dark. If pale, limpid, and spe¬ 
cifically lighter oil is found at the outcrop, it is sure 
evidence of oil of excellent quality at greater depth. 
In every case it may be expected that the quality 
of the oil at greater depth is superior to that at the 
outcrop. 

Ozocerite is a mineral paraffine or wax, and oc¬ 
curs generally in fissures and cavities in the neigh¬ 
borhood of coal-fields and deposits of rock salt, or 
under sandstone pervaded with bitumen. It is 
found in various localities in Africa, America, Asia 
and Europe. In the United States it occurs in 
Arizona, Texas and Utah. 

The most interesting deposit is in East Galicia; 
the ozocerite occurs there in a saliferous clay be- 


202 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

longing to the miocene of the more recent tertiary 
period, and forming a narrow, almost continuous 
strip on the northern edge of the Carpathian Moun¬ 
tains. This miocene* group of saliferous clay con¬ 
sists chiefly of bluish and variegated clays, sands 
and sandstones, with numerous occurrences of gyp¬ 
sum, rock salt and salt springs. In Boryslaw, the 
strata of saliferous clay form a perceptible saddle as 
they sink on the south below the so-called menilite 

Fig. 57. 



slates, which are very bituminous and foliated, and 
form here the most northern edge of the Carpathian 
Mountains. The principal deposit of ozocerite con¬ 
verges with the axis of this saddle as shown in Fig. 
57, S being the strata of saliferous clay ; and M 
menilite slate. 

Closely allied to ozocerite are the following min¬ 
eral resins: 

Retinite, generally of a yellowish brown, some- 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 203 

times of a green-yellow or red color. It is found 
with brown coal in various localities. 

Elaterite or elastic bitumen, of a blackish 
brown color, subtranslucent, and occurring in soft, 
flexible masses in the lead-veins of Castleton, in 
Derbyshire, in the bituminous sandstone of Wood- 
bury, Connecticut, etc. 

Pyropissite occurs in strata in brown coal. 

Ozocerite occurs in various shades of color, from 
pale yellow to black; when melted it generally 
shows a dark-green color. The pale varieties are 
chiefly found in places containing much marsh gas. 
The dark-green, heavy variety is the best, while the 
black kind, or asphaltic wax, is the poorest; it con-, 
tains resinous combinations of oxygen, and is inter¬ 
mediate between mineral oil and ozocerite. 

The odor of ozocerite is, according to its purity, 
agreeably wax-like. In consistency it is soft, pliable, 
flexible to hard; the mass in the latter case showing 
a conchoidal fracture, but softens on kneading. 
The boiling-point lies between 133° and 165° F., 
and of the so-called ‘‘marble wax ” even as high as 
230° F. The specific gravity is from 0.845 to 0.930. 

Ozocerite is readily soluble in oil of turpentine, 
petroleum, benzine, etc., and with difficulty in 
alcohol and ether; it burns with a bright flame, 
generally leaving no residue. Its elementary com¬ 
position is about that of petroleum, 85 per cent, of 
carbon.and 15 per cent, of hydrogen. 

Native Asphalt or Bitumen is solid at the ordi¬ 
nary temperature, of a black to blackish-brown 


204 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

color and a conchoidal fracture with glossy lustre. 
Hardness 1 to 2 ; specific gravity 1 to 2. It melts 
at 90° F., and is very inflammable. It appears to 
be formed by the oxidation of the non-saturated 
hydrocarbides in petroleum. The most remarkable 
deposits are in Cuba and Trinidad. Other noted 
localities are the Dead Sea, Seyssel (France), Lim- 
mer, the Abruzzo, and Val de Travers. It occurs 
also of every degree of consistence, and in immense 
quantity, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, 
chiefly in the States of Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz and 
Tabasco, where not unfrequently it is associated 
with rock salt and “saltpetre.” It has recently 
been discovered in Utah in widely separated places. 
It has been found associated with ozocerite and 
more extensively as melted out of sandstone. Cali¬ 
fornia includes a large area which furnishes asphalt, 
much the larger proportion being the product of the 
decomposition of petroleum, while the remainder 
occurs in veins that are evidently eruptive, the for¬ 
mer occurring in beds of greater or less extent on 
hill-sides or gulch slopes, below springs of more 
fluid bitumen. These deposits are scattered over 
the country between the bay of Monterey and San 
Diego, but are chiefly observed west and south of 
the coast ranges, between Santa Barbara and the 
Soledad pass. Asphalt occurs also in other localities 
in the United States, for instance in Connecticut, in 
thin seams and veins in eruptive rock; in New 
York in the region of eruptive and metarnorphic 
rocks, in Tennessee in the Trenton limestone, etc. 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 205 

In some American specimens sulphur has been 
found to the extent of 10.85 per cent. Asphalt is 
in great request for paving purposes; it is of in¬ 
creasing value and deposits are eagerly sought for. 

Peat. Peat is not a mineral, but consists of the 
cumulatively resolved fibrous parts of certain mosses 
and graminacea?. It gradually darkens from brown 
to black with increasing age. It occurs in beds or 
in bogs. As a fuel, it is most economically used at 
the place where it is grown. Good peat yields 
about 3 to 6 per cent, of tar proper, which is com¬ 
paratively easy to purify by the usual method. 


CHAPTER XIIL 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 

Although many varieties of gems and precious 
stones are known to occur in the United States, 
systematic mining for them is carried on only at a 
few places, and the annual output is still very 
small in comparison with the prospective extent of 
the field. Not many persons are familiar with the 
appearance of gem stones in their native state, 
so that while quartz pebbles are often mistaken for 
rough diamonds, garnets for rubies, ilmenite for 
black diamonds, etc., on the other hand it is quite 
probable that many valuable occurrences have es¬ 
caped notice. 

Diamond. Diamonds are usually met with in 
alluvial soil, often on gold-diggings. In some 
Indian fields a diamond-bearing conglomerate oc¬ 
curs which is made up of rounded stones cemented 
together and lies under two layers, the top one con¬ 
sisting of gravel, sand and loam, the bottom one of 
thick clay and mud. In the neighborhood of Pan- 
nah, between Sonar and the Sona river, diamonds 
are found in ferriferous pebble conglomerate and 
in river alluvium. The most beautiful crystallized 
specimens are.how^ever found on the west side of the 
( 206 ) 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 207 

Nalla-Malla mountains near Banganpally, between 
Pennar and Kistnah, in a diamond-bearing layer 
between beds of primitive conglomerate. 

In Borneo, the diamond is found associated with 
magnetic iron ore, gold and platinum, in alluvial 
deposits consisting of serpentine and quartz frag¬ 
ments as well as marl. 

In Brazil, the province Minas Geraes is rich in 
diamonds, the most important occurrence being at 
Sao Joao do Barro, where they are found in an 
entirely weathered talcose slate. In other parts of 
the same country the diamond is also obtained from 
a conglomerate of white quartz, pebbles and light 
colored sand, sometimes with yellow and blue 
quartz and iron sand. In the province of Bahia 
occurs the so-called black diamond, which though 
not suitable for jewelry, may on account of its hard¬ 
ness replace the diamond for many other purposes. 

In South Africa the diamond occurs associated 
chiefly with garnet and titanic iron ore, as well as 
with quartz opal, calcareous spar, and more rarely 
with iron pyrites, bronzite, smaragdite and vaalite. 
According to St. Meunier the South African diamond¬ 
bearing sands are composed of an exceedingly large 
number of constituents, eighty different varieties of 
minerals and rocks having been found in them. 
Of minerals occur, for instance, diamond, topaz, 
garnet, bronzite, ilmenite, quartz, tremolite, asbestus, 
wollastonite, vaalite, zeolite, iron pyrites, brown iron 
ore, calcareous spar, opal, hyalite, jasper, agate, clay. 
Of rocks are found, serpentine, eklogite, pegmatite 


20s PROSPECTOR'S PIELD-EOOiC AND GDIDE. 

and talcose slate. At the Kimberley mine, which 
more or less represents others in the neighborhood, 
the diamond-bearing ground forms a “ pipe ” or 
“ chimney ” surrounded by formations totally differ¬ 
ent from the payable rock. The encasing material 
is made up of red sandy soil on the surface, under¬ 
neath which is a la 3 ’^er of calcareous tufa, then yellow 
shale, then black shale, and below this, hard igneous 
rock. The diamond-bearing ground consists of 
“ yellow ground ” (really the decomposed “ blue 
ground ”), which is comparably friable ; and deeper 
down the “ blue ground ” (hydrous magnesian con¬ 
glomerate), which needs blasting by dynamite. The 
“ blue ground ” is of a dark bluish to a greenish gray 
color, and has a more or less greasy feel. With it 
are mixed portions of boulders of various kinds of 
rock such as serpentine, quartzite, mica-schist, 
chlorite-schist, gneiss, granite, etc. All this “ blue 
ground ” has evidently been subjected to heat. Tlie 
gems are in the matter which binds these ro(*ks, 
not in the rocks themselves. 

Diamonds are also found in the Ural, various 
parts of Australia, New Zealand and in the United 
States. In the latter country diamonds have been 
found at a number of localities, but never enough to 
warrant any extended mining for them. ^lany ex¬ 
perienced geologists hold to the opinion that since so 
many associations of the diamond are present in 
North Carolina they have hopes of their being found 
there. The garnet districts of Arizona and New 
Mexico may also be looked upon as favorable for 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 209 

the occurrence of this gem. Of the localities where 
diamonds have been found in the United States may 
be mentioned : the gold diggings of Twitty’s mine 
in the itacolumite region of Rutherford Co., North 
Carolina, 1847; further in Hall Co., Georgia 1850, 
in the gold diggings on the south slopes of the 
Alleghany mountains, in Arizona, and in Cali¬ 
fornia, together with platinum in various gold dig¬ 
gings. Further at Dysartville, McDowell Co., 
North Carolina, in Idaho, San Juan Co., Colorado, 
and Cherokee Flat and several other localities in 
Butte Co., California. 

The natural surface of the diamond is often 
unequal; its sides are lined, somewhat convex, and 
generally appear dulled, or as they are commonly 
called, rough, by the evident action of fire. The 
diamond breaks regularly into four principal cleav¬ 
ages. It does not sparkle in the rough, and the 
best test is its hardness and its becoming electric, 
when rubbed before polishing. The color of the 
diamond varies through all tones of the color-scale, 
from absolute colorless through all shades of yellow, 
red, green, blue to intense black. Some colorless 
diamonds acquire on heating a reddish shade, which 
disappears on cooling. The value of the diamond is 
generally speaking proportional to its want of color. 
The black diamond occurs in pieces weighing up to 
2 lbs., but mostly in pieces the size of a hazel nut, 
with crystalline structure and consisting of a mass 
of minute octahedrons, sometimes so porous as to 
have a pumice-stone-like appearance. 

14 


210 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

The specific gravity of the pure diamond varies 
from 3.5 to 3.6 ; that of the black diamond is from 
3.012 to 3.255. 

One of the most beautiful qualities of the diamond 
is its power of refraction ; that of water is, 0,785 ; 
that of the ruby, 0.739 ; that of the rock crystal, 
0.654 ; that of the diamond, 1.396. The refraction 
of the diamond is single in the entire crystals; when 
broken it possesses double, but imperfect refraction, 
in the thin layers. 

The value of the diamond is dependent on its 
color, its size and the finish given to it by working. 
Perfectly colorless stones bring the highest price, 
and next stones with a reddish, greenish and bluish 
shade, which, however, are quite rare. Yellowish 
diamonds are of less value, the price paid for them 
being the lower the more the yellow color plays into 
brown. 

Of the larger diamonds each has its own name 
and its own history. Of these may here be men¬ 
tioned the Koh-i-noor or mountain of light. Fig. 58 
d. It weighs lOfiyV carats. The Orlof, Fig. 58, a, 
weighs 194f carats and is as large as half a pigeon’s 
egg; it adorns the sceptre of the Kussian emperor. 
The Grand Duke of Tuscany or Florentine, Fig. 58, 
h, is one of the most beautiful diamonds. It is a 
yellow diamond and weighs 139|- carats. It belongs 
to the House of Austria. The Pitt or Regent, Fig. 
58, c, belongs to the French Treasury and, with the 
exception of the Koh-i-noor, is the most beautiful 
and most regular diamond. It weigh 136} carats. 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 


211 


Fig. 58. 



Sapphires and Kubies. The sapphire is the 
blue variety of corundum in its purest crystalline 
state, and the ruby the red variety. The bright 
yellow variety is the Oriental topaz, distinguished 
by its hardness from the topaz, yellow tourmaline 
and false topaz. The bright green is the Oriental 
emerald, and the bright violet the Oriental amethyst. 
These varieties readily scratch the emerald and 
amethyst. One variety exhibits a six-rayed star 



212 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

inside the prism, and is called the asterias. Dull 
crystals are called corundum, and gray or black 
granular varieties emery. The latter two kinds are 
used for polishing powder. The ruby is the most 
highly prized form of corundum, the most precious 
being the East Indian ruby, which is of the deepest 
red, and some stones of a peculiarly vivid red are 
more valuable than the diamond. 

Corundum is the sesquioxide of aluminium. It 
is infusible before the blow-pipe and unattacked by 
acids. It crystallizes in six-sided prisms, often 
irregularly shaped, and sometimes occurs in gran¬ 
ular masses. Transparent or opaque. Lustre 
glassy, sometimes pearly. Fracture uneven or con- 
choidal. Specific gravity 3.9 to 4.2. Hardness 9, 
it being next to diamond, the hardest of minerals. 
It occurs in river sands, in granite, feldspar, mag¬ 
netic iron, basalt. 

The principal locality for sapphires in the United 
States is in the garnet districts near Helena, Mon¬ 
tana; Santa Fe, New Mexico; southern Colorado 
and Arizona. Here they occur in the sand, associ¬ 
ated with peridot, pyrope and almandine garnet. 

Common corundum occurs in Massachusetts at 
Chester, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and still more 
in North Carolina and the adjacent states of South 
Carolina and Georgia. 

Spinel contains in the typical form, magnesia 
and alumina. It is usually found in octahedrons, 
often in twins which are therefore called spinel 
twins. Usually red and transparent; also white, 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 


213 


blue, green, yellow, brown, black, the dark shades 
being usually opaque. Lustre glassy. Fracture, 
conchoidal. Specific gravity 3.5 to 4.0. Hardness 
8; scratches quartz. Infusible, and thus distin¬ 
guished from garnet, which it may resemble. Its 
color is transiently altered by heat. It is distin¬ 
guished from zircon by its superior hardness and 
inferior specific gravity. Occurs in river sand, in 
igneous rocks, gneiss, limestone. When red it 
forms the spinel or halas ruby, which is distin¬ 
guished from the Oriental ruby by its inferior 
hardness. When bright green it is called chloro- 
spinel; orange, rubicelle; violet, almandine ruby; 
black, pleonast. Spinel is occasionally met with in 
gem form in the United States. 

Topaz is composed of silica, alumina and fluorine. 
It occurs in prismatic crystals, sometimes furrowed 
lengthwise, variously terminated, breaking easily 
across with smooth brilliant cleavage. Transparent 
or semi-transparent. White, yellow, greenish, blu¬ 
ish, pink. Lustre, glassy. Specific gravity, 3.5. 
Hardness, 8. Scratches quartz; is scratched by 
sapphire. Infusible, but often blistered and altered 
by heat. When smooth surfaces are rubbed on 
cloth they become strongly electric, and can attract 
small pieces of paper, but rough surfaces do not 
show this. The brilliant cleavage of topaz distin¬ 
guishes it from tourmaline and other minerals. 
Topaz occurs in gneiss or granite with tourmaline, 
mica, beryl; also cassiterite or tin-stone, apatite, 
fluorite. The white topaz resembles the diamond, 


214 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

but unlike the latter it can be scratched by sap¬ 
phire. Topaz has been found in Arizona, New 
Mexico, and occasionally in southern Colorado. In 
the latter state, and in Utah and Mexico, it some¬ 
times occurs in fine, clear crystals in volcanic rocks. 
A notable locality, especially for very large crystals, 
is at Stoneham, Blaine, and another at Trumbull, 
Connecticut. 

Beryl or Emerald is composed of silica, alumina 
and beryllium or glucinum. It is almost always 
found in distinct crystals, and usually in forms easy 
to recognize. The crystals are hexagonal prisms, 
usually green, transparent or opaque. Lustre, 
glassy ; fracture uneven ; specific gravity, 2.7 ; hard¬ 
ness, 7 to 8 ; scratches quartz. Infusible, or nearly 
so, but becomes clouded by heating. Occurs in 
granite rocks with feldspar and quartz. Valuable 
for jewelry when transparent and rich grass green 
(emerald), or sea-green (aquamarine). Emerald has 
been found in North Carolina and aquamarine at a 
number of localities in the United States. 

Phenacite is a silicate of beryllium or glucinum. 
Its hardness is about the same as topaz and its 
specific gravity 3.4 to 3.6. It occurs in glassy 
rhombohedral crystals, and its hardness, beautiful 
transparency and color make it valuable for cutting 
as a gem, since it is capable of extreme polish. 
Phenacite has been found at Pike’s Peak, Colorado, 
in crystals of sufficient size and quality to furnish 
fair gems. 

Zircon is composed of silica and zirconia. It is 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 


215 


found in square prisms terminated by pyramids, 
and in octahedrons, but often also in pebbles and 
grains. Transparent or opaque. Wine or brown¬ 
ish red, gray, yellow, white. Lustre, glassy; frac¬ 
ture, usually irregular, but in one direction it can 
be split so as to exhibit a smooth even cleavage 
face having an adamantine lustre like the diamond. 
Specific gravity 4.0 to 5.0 ; hardness 7.5 ; scratches 
quartz, is scratched by topaz. Infusible; the red 
varieties, when heated before the blowpipe, emit a 
fluid phosphorescent light, and become permanently 
colorless. Zircon occurs in syenite, granite, basalt. 
In some regions it occurs in the rock so abundantly 
that when the rock has been worn down by the 
weather, it is left unaltered in considerable quanti¬ 
ties. It may then be obtained by washing the 
gravel in the manner of the gold miner. Clear 
crystals are used in jewelry, in jeweling watches, 
and imitation of diamond. It may be distinguished 
from the latter by its inferior hardness, and in not 
becoming so readily electric by friction. Fine 
crystals are obtained in New York and Canada; and 
good specimens also come from North Carolina and 
Colorado. 

Garnet is composed of silica, alumina, lime, 
iron, magnesia, manganese. It is found almost 
always in distinct crystals, and as these crystals are 
commonly isolated and scattered through the rock, 
it is not difficult to recognize them. The crystals 
are usually twelve-sided, having the form of a 
rhombic dodecahedron. They are transparent or 


216 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

opaque; generally red; also brown, green, yellow, 
black, white. Lustre, glassy or resinous, fracture 
conchoidal or uneven; specific gravity 3.5 to 4.3; 
hardness, 6.5 to 7.5 ; cannot be scratched with a 
knife. Fusible with more or less difficulty. Red 
varieties impart a green color to borax bead owing 
to presence of chromium. Garnet usually occurs in 
crystals scattered through granite, gneiss or mica 
schist, also in crystalline limestone; with serpen¬ 
tine or chromite ; also in some volcanic rocks. Fine 
colored transparent varieties (carbuncle, cinnamon 
stone, almandine) are used in jewelry. The garnets 
found in New ^lexico and Southern Colorado, and 
there called “ rubies,” are as fine as those from any 
other locality, the blood-red being the most desirable. 
Very fine crystals of cinnamon stone, cinnamon 
garnet or essonite have been found in New Hamp¬ 
shire, Maine, and at many other points in the 
United States. 

Tourmaline is composed of silica, alumina, mag¬ 
nesia, boracic acid, fluorine, oxides of iron (lime 
and alkalies). It is found in prisms with three, six, 
nine or more sides, furrowed lengthwise, terminat¬ 
ing in low pyramids. Commonly black and opaque, 
rarely transparent, and of a rich red, yellow, or 
green color. Lustre glassy ; fracture uneven ; spe¬ 
cific gravity 3.1; hardness 7 to 8; cannot be 
scratched with a knife. When the smooth side of 
a prism is rubbed on cloth it becomes electric and 
can attract a small piece of paper. Tourmaline 
occurs in granite and slate. Only the fine colored 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 


217 


transparent varieties, which are used as gems and 
for optical purposes, are of value. The principal 
source of tourmaline in the United States is the 
locality Mount Mica, at Paris, Maine. 

Epidote is a silicate of alumina, iron and lime, 
but varies rather widely in composition, especially 
as regards the relative amounts of alumina and 
iron. It is usually found in prismatic crystals, 
often very slender and terminated at one end only ; 
they belong to the monoclinic system. Lustre, 
vitreous ; color, commonly green, although there are 
black and pink varieties. Epidote is found in 
many localities in the United States and in very 
large crystals ranging from brown to green in color, 
but as a rule the crystals are only translucent or 
semi-opaque, though some stones of considerable 
value and great beauty have been found in Rabun 
county, Georgia. 

Opal is composed of silica and water. It is never 
found in crystals but only in massive and amorphous 
form. Fracture, conchoidal; specific gravity 2.2; 
hardness, 6 ; can be scratched by quartz and thus 
distinguished from it. It is infusible and generally 
milk-white. The most beautiful variety of opal is 
that called precious opal, which exhibits a beautiful 
play of colors and is a valuable gem. One kind of 
precious opal with a bright red flash of light is 
called the fire opal, and another kind is the harle¬ 
quin opal. Common opal does not exhibit this play 
of colors, and it varies widely in color and appear¬ 
ance. Milh opal, as one variety is called, has a pure 


218 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

white color and milky opalescence, while resin opal 
or wax opal has a waxy lustre and yellow color. 
Jasper opal is intermediate between jasper and opal; 
wood opal is petrified wood in which the mineral 
material is opal instead of quartz. Opal is com¬ 
monly met with in seams of certain volcanic rocks; 
sometimes it occurs in limestone and also in metal¬ 
lic veins. Precious opal is rare in the United 
States, though some of high value is said to have 
been found in Creek Co., near John Davies River, 
Oregon. 

Turquois is a hydrated phosphate of aluminium, 
containing also a little copper phosphate which is 
probably the source of the color, which in the most 
precious variety is robin’s-egg blue, and bluish- 
green in less highly prized varieties. It occurs only 
in compact massive forms, filling seams and cavi¬ 
ties in a volcanic rock. Specific gravity 3.127. 
Turquois has been found in the Holy Cross mining 
region thirty miles from Leadville, Colorado, and of 
late years a number of mines have been opened in 
New Mexico. It occurs also in Arizona and at a 
point in Southern Nevada. At the latter place it is 
found in veins of small grains in a hard shaly sand¬ 
stone. The color of this turquois is a rich blue, al¬ 
most equal to the finest Persian, and the grains are 
so small that the sandstone is cut with the turquois 
in it, making a rich mottled stone for jewelry. 

Agate is found in almost every part of the world, 
and the difference of the constituent parts makes 
the specific gravity vary from 2.58 to 2.69. The 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 


219 


agate, properly so called, is naturally translucent, 
less transparent than crystalline quartz, but yet 
less opaque than jasper. It is too hard to be even 
scratched b}^ rock crystal. It takes a very good 
polish. It is never found in regular forms, but al¬ 
ways either in nodules, in stalactites, or in irregular 
masses. Eye agates consist of those parts of the 
stone in which the cutting discovers circular bands 
of very small diameter arranged with regularity 
round one circular spot. These circles are fre¬ 
quently so perfect that they appear to be traced by 
the compass. The first round is white, the second, 
black, green, red, blue or yellow; the most rare are 
those whose circles are at equal distance from the 
centre. Moss agate contains brown-black mosslike 
or dendritic forms distributed rather thickly through 
the mass. These forms consist of some metallic 
oxide (as of manganese). Of all the American 
stones used in jewelry there is no other of which so 
much is sold as the moss agate. The principal 
sources of supply are Utah, Colorado, Montana and 
Wyoming. 

Chalcedony is a semi-transparent variety of 
quartz, of a waxy lustre and varying in color from 
white to gray, blue, brown and other shades. In 
some instances it resembles icicles, and in others the 
frosty surface of a liquid. 

Carnelian and Sard have red or brownish tints 
and are varieties of chalcedony. 

Jasper is quartz rendered opaque by clay, iron 
and other impurities. It is of a red, yellow or 


220 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

green color. Sometimes the colors are arranged in 
ribands, or in other fantastic forms. It is used for 
ornamental work. 

Bloodstone is green jasper, with splashes of red 
resembling blood spots. 

Rock crystal is pure, transparent, colorless 
(piartz, and is found at a great many localities in 
the United States. In Herkimer County, at Lake 
George, and throughout the adjacent regions in 
New York state, the calciferous sandstone contains 
single crystals, and at times cavities are found 
filled with doubly terminated crystals, often of re¬ 
markable perfection and brilliancy. These are 
collected, cut, and, often uncut, are mounted in 
jewelry and sold under the name of “ Lake George 
diamonds.” 

Amethyst is a transparent variet}^ of quartz of a 
rich violet or purple color. It is found at many 
localities in the United States, but not in as fine or 
large specimens as in Brazil or Siberia. 

Onyx or Sardonyx is a semi-transparent variety 
of quartz made up of regular layers, one above the 
other, of different colors, often white and red. It is 
much used for cameos. 

Many other gem-stones are known to occur in the 
United States, and the following list compiled by 
Mr. George F. Kunz * is here given : 

* Mineral Resources of the United States, Washington, 
1883. 


Gems and precious stones. 


221 


List of gem stones knoivn to occur in the United States. 


Acliroite (tourmaline). 
Agate (quartz). 

Agatized wood (quartz). 
Almandine (garnet). 
Amazon stone (microcline). 
Amber. 

Amethyst (quartz). 
Aquamarine (beryl). 
Asteria. 

Beryl. 

Bloodstone, 

Bowenite (serpentine). 
Cairngorm (quartz). 
Catlinite. 

Chalcedony (quartz). 
Chiastolite. 

Chlorastrolite, 

Chondrodite. 

Chrysolite, 

Danburite. 

Diamond. 

Diopside (pyroxene). 
Elseolite (nephelite). 
Emerald (beryl). 

Epidote. 

Essonite (garnet). 

Fleche d’amour (quartz). 
Fluorite. 

Fossil coral. 

Garnet. 

Grossularite garnet. 
Heliotrope, 

Hematite. 

Hiddenite (spodumene). 
Hornblende in quartz. 
Idocrase, 

Indicolite (tourmaline), 
lolite. 

Isopyre. 


Jade. 

Jasper (quartz). 

Jet (mineral coal), 

Labradorite. 

Labrador spar (labradorite). 
Lake George diamonds (quartz) 
Lithia emeralds (spodumene). 
Made. 

Malachite. 

Moonstone (feldspar group). 
Moss agate (quartz). 

Novaculite (quartz). 

Obsidian. 

Olivine (chrysolite). 

Opalized wood (opal). 

Peridot (chrysolite). 

Phenakite. 

Prehnite. 

Pyrope (garnet). 

Quartz. 

Bhodonite. 

Rock crystal (quartz). 

Rose quartz (quartz).. 

Ruby (corundum). 

Rubellite (tourmaline). 

Rutile. 

Rutile in quartz (quartz). 
Sagenite (quartz). 

Sapphire (corundum), 

Silicihed wood (quartz). 

Smoky quartz (quartz). 

Smoky topaz (quartz). 

Spinel. 

Spodumene. 

Sunstone (feldspar). 

Thetis hair stone (quartz). 
Thomsonite. 

Tourmaline. 

Topaz. 




prospector’s field-book and guide. 


222 

Turquois. 

Venus hair stone (quartz). 
Willemite. 

Williamsite (serpentine). 
Wood agate (quartz). 


Wood j asper (quartz). 
Wood opal (opal). 
Zircon. 

Zonochlorite (prelinite). 


Lint of species and varieties found in the United States, but not met with 

in gem form. 


Andalusite. 

Axinite. 

Cassiterite. 

Clirysoberyl 

Cyanite. 


Ilvaite. 

Opal. 

Prase (quartz). 

Spliene. 

Titanite. 


List of species and varieties not yet identified in any form in the Un ited 

States. 


Alexandrite. 

Cat’s-eye clirysoberyl. 
Cat’s -eye quartz. 
Clirysoberyl cat’s-eye. 
Clirysoprase. 


Deraantoid. 
Euclase. 
Lapislazulite. 
Ouvarovite. 
Quartz cat’s-eye. 


List of gem stones occurring only in the United States 


Bowenite. 

Clilorastrolite. 

Chondrodite. 

Iliddenite. 

Litliia emerald. 

Novaculite. 


Rutile. 

Thetis hair stone. 

Thomsonite. 

Willemite. 

Williamsite. 

Zonochlorite. 






Table of Cliamcteristics of Gems. 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 


223 


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Table of Characteristics of Gems. — Continued. 


224 l^ROSPECTOK^S FlELD-fcOOlC ANt) GtJiPP. 


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-ft ft ^ - 
csft ft'O O 
C ft CO 01 
-ft 5 ^ Oi O 
oi f3 '-' qT H C G 
o G r- o iC-G G 

ftft Sft « E 

C/j < (ft ft ^ ft 


•SS9UpJl?l[ 

JO aiuDsujftOM 


•2^ 


'*' ft# 

a ftcs 2 

2 G 
oi G O G ■ 
cc o! o*.'; 




ft—. a> 
oft 
ft G “ 

a.^ce: 
o ^ ^ : 
•.ft i 

; 2 =c K i 


oft 

ft;a" 


^ G >■ 
o crE^ 


G 

w 


•Aj!AT 3J9 oyioads 


ft 


lO Q lO 
CO *- CO 


Ift 


*2 c-''? 


CO ■• 


ceft 

S|f 

•ft a‘ft 


-a 

o 

oT 2 * • 
G — '/2 
C'G G 
o.G o 

2ft s 


ft 

ft 


a 


'^o 
ft 2 

^cc ^3 

s*s 

a 

“^O . 

ft S'a 

te O „ 

ft 

§22 

H 


^ ,—i r-" rw 

G ^ >0) 

rv r* tn 

§1 

j :3 ^ ^ 

2 is . o js 

« -ft O p 
S O 3 DJ^ 

51'^5 

2’**-2' O > G 
" G o M E o 

f'" G a E 5 
w o o K 'G 

w 02 ft .''•rt O 

w a 


“ft" 

1^- 

22 

2 

ft 

oc« 




















Table of Characteristics of Gems .— Concluded. 


GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 


225 


g 

. 

43 CO 

ga 

O A 

”3 

§) 

0) cS 

CO 

B ^ 

o 


S5.2 

CO tH N 


CO 


fcc-- 
pi ci 

S 3 


; lO lO ' 

I 7 J i-j; 


> CC CO 
! Ol Ol 


I >-l 00 i-H T-^ O I-' 


G Oi rH 


>0100 
<00 0 

)oo 


3 o 

O iD ~ 

ci -T'^ cS 

,.2 .5 31 

g S a ° a 2 3l g'a'c 


_8.S 

v<«+-. < 
- O O 
OP D 


“*.5 - ? 




31 


-2 

3 


y. X 

<00 


o S 
<D -ft a' 

CD to « 
•^< CO Ct 3 

y ^ 

O ftj? 


o3 


•ssaupjBq 
JO 8IBDS in 


^'5.3 


0)^ 

_ OjD 


^ 33 •-■ 
O CTrC* 
CO 


ci 

3® 

to 

il 

CO 


CO 


Ajiabjo oqioails 


cn ^ eo 


O O 00 


O c 


53 ft 

c>-3 

gr-o 

a> u 
u 0) 
c3 

Pi 


> 


C2 

.P3 O) 

O 
c/T to 

^ C c« 

c*;n :3 
d) 2 o 

^ Ph ^ 

.t3 



1 ^ a 

i> 


1 ^ 

'o 

! 

. ’a os" 



I -c g.m 


c 

g 

o 

§ 

ft ^ 33 


1 

.g'O J5 

Ph 


> gg 

i5 r 


H a " oj" a> 

9 s o « 
-’i ca z 

Jo S3 S c 23 

-3 5'-^ 

<00 Ph 


33 ol 

O d 

g3 

fee—ti 

?2 -S 

D P a; 
cs ^ '^'a 
bc:5 £-2 

.2 S o 3 

33 ft 2 o 
^ ^ ^ cC 


3 

w" 

M 

p aj 

11 


03 ? 

.in O 


gl 

ar 3 

c/: 

O 


o C ^ 
73 


33 03 
03 t3 


.r w 


15 





























APPENDIX. 


WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 


British weights and measures, and those used in 
our country, are based upon the weight of a cubic 
inch of distilled water at 62° Fah., and 30 inches 
height of the barometer, the maximum density. 
This was decided by Parliament, in the reign of 
George IV., to be 252.458 grains. Recent experi¬ 
ments, however, show that a cubic inch of water at 
the temperature of maximum density is 252.286 
standard grains. On this account scientists are 
urging the readjustment of the gallon, bushel, etc., 
but at present the tables below are correct. See 
also No. 8. 

Weights and measures of various nations :— 


No. 1.—English Length. 


1 inch. 

1 foot. 

1 yard. 

1 rod, pole, or perch (16^ feet). 

1 chain (22 yards or 66 feet). 

1 furlong (220 yards or 660 feet). 

1 mile (1760 yards, or 5280 feet). 

A span = 9 inches ; a fathom = 6 feet; a league = 3 miles ; a 
geographical mile = 6082.66 feet, same as a nautical knot, 60 being 
a degree, i. e., 69.121 miles. 

(227 ) 


3 barleycorns = 

12 inches = 

3 feet = 

yards = 

4 poles or 100 links = 

10 chains = 

8 furlongs = 



228 phosi^ector’s field-book and guide. 


Particular Measures of Length. 


A point, of an inch. 
A line, inch. 

A palm, 3 inches. 

A hand, 4 inches. 

A link, 7.92 inches. 


A pace, military, 2 feet, 6 inches. 
A pace, geometrical, 5 feet. 

A cable’s length, 120 fathoms. 

A degree (average), 69^ miles. 


No. 2. —Subface Measure. 


144 square inches = 

9 square feet = 

30^ square yards = 
16 poles (square) = 

40 poles = 

10 chains or 4 roods = 

640 acres = 

No. 3.—Surface 

9 square feet 
272} “ “ 

4,356 “ “ 

10,890 “ “ 

43,560 “ “ 

27,878,400 square feet 


1 square foot. 

1 square yard. 

1 pole, rod, or perch (square) 
1 chain (sq.) or 484 sq. yds. 

1 rood (sq.) or 1210 sq. yds. 

1 acre (4840 sq. yds.). 

1 sq. mile. 

Measure in Feet. 

= 1 square yard. 

= 1 pole, rod, or perch. 

= 1 square chain. 

= 1 square rood. 

= 1 acre. 

= 1 square mile. 


No. 4.—Solid Measure. 

1728 cubic inches = 1 cubic foot. 

27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard. 

16| feet long, 1 foot high, and IJ feet thick =3 1 perch stone — 
24| cubic feet. 


No. 5.—AVeigiit. 

Troy Weight. Platinum, gold, silver, and some 
precious stones are weighed by Troy weight, dia¬ 
monds by carats of 4 grains each. 


24 grains 
20 pennyweights 
12 ounces 


1 pennyweight. 

1 ounce (480 grains). 

1 pound (5760 grains). 


APPENDIX. 


229 


No. 6. —Avoirdupois Weight. 


16 drams 
16 ounces 
14 pounds 
2 stones 
4 quarters 


1 ounce (4371^ grains). 

1 pound (7000 grains). 

1 stone. 

1 quarter. 

1 hundred-weight (112 pounds). 


20 hundred-weight = 1 ton (long ton) (2240 pounds). 

No. 7.—Weights by Specific GRAVITY^ 

Frequently the weight of masses is required 
where it is very inconvenient, or, perhaps, impossi¬ 
ble, to use scales. The following method may be 
sufficiently accurate :— 

Find the average specific gravity of the mass 
either by actual weight of a piece or by the follow¬ 
ing table. Then measure the cubic contents of the 
mass as nearly as possible and multiply by the 
weight of a cubic foot. Thus, a mass of limestone 
(say good marble) measures 40 cubic feet. The 
specific gravity of good marble is 2.6, that is, it is 
2.6 as heavy as a cubic foot of Avater, which weighs 
62.5 pounds. Therefore 62.5 


2.6 


3750 

1250 


162.50 


A cubic foot of good marble weighs 162.5 pounds, and 
the 40 cubic feet will weigh 162.5 


40 


6500.0 pounds, 





230 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

or about 3J tons. Of course all rock masses have 
not plane sides, and the irregularity requires some 
calculation and various allowances which the pros¬ 
pector must make, and can easily do with a little 
consideration. 

Where greater accuracy of specific gravity and of 
bulk is desired for small masses, and no scales are 
at hand, the following plan may be very satisfac¬ 
torily adopted. Fill a tub or hogshead or large box 
with rain water, after having inserted a tube or 
piece of tin pipe into the upper edge. Pour in more 
water until it will hold no more without running 
out of the spout. Introduce the mass of rock and 
catch all the water which runs out of the pipe. Now 
measure the overflow ; this represents the exact cubic 
measure of the rock introduced. 


1 gallon contains.231 cubic inches. 

1 quart ‘‘ . 57.75 or 57| cubic inches. 

Ipint “ . 28.87 or 28| 

Igill “ .7.21 or 7i “ 

See Appendix, No. 8. 


Suppose the overflow was 8 gallons, 1 quart, 4J 
gills, and that the specific gravity of the rock or ore 
was 6.5 by the table below. Then the mass will 
cause an overflow of 1936.99 cubic inches, and this 
is 208.99 more than one cubic foot, or about 1.120 
of a cubic foot for the mass. 

Since 6.5 was the specific gravity of the ore, 
6.5x62.5 pounds = 406.25, which would be the 
weight of a cubic foot of the ore, and 406.25 x 1.120 





APPENDIX. 


231 


= 455 pounds, the exact weight of that mass you 
introduced into the water. 

Specific Gravity, how to Find. Where the 
mass is of very nearly the same density in all parts, 
the specific gravity may be taken of a small part as 
follows:— 

Suspend the scales so that they will be steady, 
weigh about an ounce or pound of the ore accu¬ 
rately, then tie the ore by a horse-hair or a fine silk 
thread to the hook that holds one of the scales, and 
let it (the ore) hang below the scale pan, and then 
weigh the ore entirely submerged in water. The 
thread or hair may be attached to the centre of the 
scale pan and weighed in that way, but the pan in 
either case must remain on the scales just as before. 
Then the weight in air divided by the weight in air 
minus the weight in water, is the specific gravity : 
e. g., a piece of ore weighs in air 100 grains, in 
water 80 grains, then 100 divided by (100—80— 
20 )=5, the specific gravity of that piece of ore. 
You may now proceed as in the case of the marble 
block. 


No. 8.— Special Weights, etc. 

One cubic foot of water is equal to 7.475 U. S. 
gals, of 231 cubic inches each, or 7J gallons nearly ; 
or 6.2321 Imperial gals, of 277J cubic inches each. 
This, with what follows, is important in the con¬ 
struction of tanks, pools, etc., where contents, w’eight, 
and pressure are to be considered. 

It should be remembered that, although the Eng- 


232 trospector’s field-book and guide. 

lish Imperial gallon is 277J cubic inches=:10 lbs. 
avoir, of distilled water at 62° Fair., Bar. 30 inches, 
and equal to 277.274 cubic inches, the United States 
standard gallon is 231 inches, or 58372.1754 grains, 
or 8.3389 lbs. of distilled water maximum density. 
This is almost exactly = to a cylinder 7 inches 
diameter, 6 inches high. The beer gallon = 282 
inches. 

One gallon = 8.3389 lbs.; one quart = 2.847 lbs.; 
one pint = 1.423 lbs.; one gill = .355 lbs.; U. S. 
standard measure. One cubic foot of water = 
62.3210 lbs., British weight; recent and correct 
62.278. 


.-FrEN on ^ I easur es —Length. 


No. 9 

Millimetre (i^Vo ^ metre) = 
Centimetre “ “ ) = 

Decimetre “ “ ) = 

Metre (the unit of length) = 

Decametre (10 metres) = 

Hectometre (100 metres) = 

Kilometre (1000 metres) = 

Myriametre (10,000 metres) = 


.03937 inch. 

.3937 “ 

3.937 

39.3708 “ or 3.2809 ft. 

32.809 ft. or 10.9363 yds. 
109.3633 yards. 

1093.63 yds. or .6238 mile. 
6.2138 miles. 


Surface. 

Centiare (y-J-^ of an are or sq. metre — 1.1960 sq. yds. 

Are (unit of surface) = j tt9.6033 sq. yards or 

i, . 0247 acre. 

Decare (10 ares) = 1 1196.033 sq. yds. or 

.2474 acre. 

11960.33 sq. yds. 
2.4736 acres. 


Hectare (100 ares) 


or 


APPENDIX. 


233 


Solid Measure. 


Decistere of a store) 
Store (cubic metre) 
Decastere (10 stores) 


= 3.5317 cubic feet. 

= 35.3106 “ “ 

= 353.1658 “ 


Weight. 


Milligramme (xoVo ^ gramme) 
Centigramme (x^o ** ) 

Decigramme (x^o “ ) 

Gramme (unit of weight) 
Decagramme (10 grammes) 


= .0154 grain. 
= .1544 “ 

= 1.544 grains. 
= 15.44 “ 

= 154.4 “ 


Hectogramme (100 “ ) 


= 1.544 grains. - 


3.2167 ozs. 
Troy or 
3.5291 ozs. 


Avoir. 


Kilogramme (1000 “ ) —- 32x ozs. or 2.2057 pounds. 

Myriagramme (10,000 grammes) = 22.057 pounds. 


No. 10. —Specific Gravity of ^Ietals, 
Ores, Rocks, etc. 


Platinum .... 

Gold. 

Mercury . . . . 

Lead. 

Silver. 

Copper . 

Iron when pure . 
Iron, cast, average 


16-21 

16-19.5 

13.5 

11.35-11.5 
10 . 1 - 11.1 
8.5-8.9 
7.78 

6.7 ; foundry 6.9 to 7 


Ores : associated with gold and silver. 


(Gold) Iron pyrites.4.8-5.2 

Copper pyrites.4.0-4.3 

(Silver) Galena.7.2-7.7 

Glance (silver).7.2-7.4 

Ruby silver (dark).5.7-5.9 

“ “ (light).5.5-5.6 

Brittle silver (sulphide).5.2-6.3 

Horn silver.5.5-5.6 




















234 prospector's field-book and guide. 


Other Ores. 


Zinc blende. 


. . 3.7-4.2 

Mercury (C’innabar). 


. . 8-8.99 

Till—tinstone, cassiterite .... 


. . 6.4-7.6 

Tin pyrites. 


. . 4.3-4.5 

Copper—Red or rubv copper . . 


. . 5.7-6.15 

Gray. 



Black oxide. 



Pyrites . . . 



Carbonate (Malachite) . . 


. . 3.5-4.1 

Lead—sulphide (Galena) .... 



Carbonate (white lead) . . 



Zinc—Blende . . 


. . 3.7-4.2 

Calamine. 



Iron—Hematite (red). 



Magnetic. 



Brown hematite. 


. . 3.6-4.0 

Spathic (carbonate) . . . 



Pyrites (mundic) .... 



Antimony—gray sulphide . . . 



Nickel—Kupfer nickel. 



Cobalt—Tin-white. 



Glance. 



Pyrites. 



Bloom. 



Earthy. 



Manganese—Black oxide .... 



AVad, Bog manganese . . 

. 

. . 2.0-4.6 

Bismuth—Sulphide. 




Oxide. 4.3 


^IlNERALS OF CoMMON OCCURRENCE. 

Quartz . .2.5-2.8 

Fluorspar.3.0-3.3 

Calc spar.2.5-2.8 

Barytes.4.3-4.8 

Granite 
Gneiss 
Mica slate 


2 .4-2.7 


2 . 6 - 2.9 




































APPENDIX. 


235 


Syenite.17-3.0 

Greenstone trap.2.7-3.0 

Basalt.2.6-3.1 

Porphyry.2.3-2.7 

Talcose slate.2.6-2.8 

Clay slate.2.5-2.8 

Chloritic slate.2.7-2.8 

Serpentine...2.5-2.7 

Limestone and Dolomite.. 2.5-2.9 

Sandstones ... .1.9-2.7 

Shale.2.8 


Other minerals are mentioned in the text with their specitie 
gravities. 


Earth 
Clay 

Chalk 14 ‘‘ ‘ 

Coarse gravel 19 “ ‘ 


Pit sand 22 cubic feet. 

Piver sand 19 “ “ 

Marl 18 “ 

Shingle 23 “ “ 


11.—A Ton Weight of the FoLLO\viN(i wu.i. 
Avekage in Cuphc Feet ; 

21 cubic feet. 

18 “ “ 


Power for Mills. 

As the Felton wheel seems to find the most fre- 
(jiient application in California, it may be conveni¬ 
ent to have the following rule, applicable to this 
wheel: 

When the head of water is known in feet, multi¬ 
ply it by 0.0024147, and the product is the horse¬ 
power obtainable from one miner’s inch of water. 

The power necessary for different mill parts is : 


For each 850 lbs. stamp, dropping 6 inches 95 times per 

minute.1.33 H. P. 

For each 750 lbs. stamp, dropping 6 inches 95 times per 

minute.1.18 “ 

For each 650 lbs. stamp, dropping 6 inches 95 times per 

minute.1.00 “ 
















23G prospector’s field-book and guide. 


For an 8-incli by 10-inch Blake pattern rock breaker . 9.00 II. P. 
For a Frue or Triumph vanner with 220 revolutions per 

minute.0.50 

For a 4 feet clean-up pan, making 30 revolutions per 

minute.1.50 “ 

For an amalgamating barrel, making 30 revolutions per 

minute.2.50 “ 

For a mechanical batea, making 30 revolutions per 

minute.1.00 “ 


Boring. 

Rock is bored with jumpers of 10 to 18 lbs., used 
aloue or with boring bars and hammer. The 
former are more etiective, but can only be used 
perpendicularly, or nearly so, and with rock of 
moderate hardness; they require more skill. 

18 lb. hammers are used for 3 inch boring bars. 

16 1b. “ “ “ 2J inch boring bars. 

14 lb. “ “ “ 2 and If inch boring bars. 

5 to 7 lb. “ “ “ 1 inch boring bars. 

The boring bars may be made of l|-inch bar 
iron of various lengths, with steel bits up to 3 
inches. A bit should bore from 18 to 24 feet with 
each steeling, and requires to be sharpened once for 
every foot bored. 


Diamond Drill. 

This drill is applicable to sinking ti bore-hole for 
prospecting for minerals or water, shafts, etc., or 
blasting under water. 

It consists of a circular row of carbonados,” a 
species of diamond, set in a circular steel ring. 
This is attached to a hollow steel tube, which is 






APPENDIX. 


237 


kept rotating at about 250 revolutions per minute, 
pressed forward by a force varying from 400 to 800 
lbs., according to the nature of the rock. AVater is 
supplied through the tube, which washes out the 
debris and cools the diamonds. 

Granite and the hardest limestones are penetrated 
at the rate of 2 to 3 inches per minute, sandstones 
4 inches, quartz 1 inch. 

The diamond drill is not effective in soft strata, 
such as clay, sand and alluvial deposits. 

The Chemical Elements, their Symbols, Equiva¬ 
lents AND Srectfic Gravities. 


Name. 

Symbol. 

Atomic 

Weight. 

Specific 

Gravity. 

Aluminium. 

Al. 

! 27.5 

2.56 

Antimony. 

Sb. 

i 122.0 

6.70 

Arsenic. 

As. 

75.0 

5.7 

Barium .. 

Ba. 

1 137.0 

4.00 

Bismuth. 

Bi. 

' 210.0 

9.7 

Boron. . • 

B. 

! 11.0 

2.63 

Bromine. 

Br. 

80.0 

5.54 

Cadmium. 

Cd. 

I 112.0 

8.60 

Caesium. 

Cs. 

133.0 

1.88 

Calcium. 

Ca. 

' 40.0 

1.58 

Carbon. 

C. 

12.0 

3.50 

Cerium. 

Ce. 

92.0 

6.68 

Chlorine. 

Cl. 

35.5 

2.45 

Chromium .. 

Cr. 

52.5 

6.81 

Cobalt. 

Co. 

58.8 

7.7 

Columbium. 

Cb. 

184.8 

6.00 

Copper. 

Cu. 

63.5 

8.96 

Didymium. 

Bi. 

90.0 

6.54 

Erbium. 

E. 

112.6 

— 

Fluorine. 

F. 

19.0 

1.32 

Gallium. 

Ga. 

69.9 

5.9 

Glucinum. 

Gl. 

9.5 

2.1 

Gold (Aurum). 

Au. 

196.7 

19.3 

Hydrogen. 

II. 

1.0 

0.069 

Indium. 

In. 

113.4 

7.4 



































238 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Xame. 


Iodine . 

Iridium. 

Iron (Ferrum). 

Lantluinum. 

Lead (PI urn bn in). 

Litliiuin. 

Magnesium. 

Manganese. 

ISIercnry (Hydrargyrum) . . 

Molybdenum. 

Nickel. 

Niobium. 

Nitrogen. 

Osmium. 

Oxygen . 

Palladium. 

Phosidiorus. 

Platinum. 

Potassium (Kalium) . . . . 

IHiodium. 

Kubidium. 

Puthenium. 

Selenium. 

Silicon. 

Silver (Argentum). 

Sodium (Natrium). 

Strontium .. 

Sulphur. 

Tantalium. 

Tellurium. 

Thallium. 

Thorinum. 

Tin (Stannum). 

Titanium. 

Tungsten (Wolfram) .... 

Uranium. 

Vanadium. 

Yttrium. 

Zinc. 

Zirconium. 


mbol. 

Atomic 

Weight. 

Specific 

Gravity, 

I. 

127.0 

4.94 

Ir. 

198.0 

21.15 

Fe. 

56.0 

7.79 

La. 

90.2 

11.37 

Pb. 

207.0 

11.44 

Li. 

7.0 

0.59 

Mg. 

24.0 

1.75 

Mn. 

55.0 

8.01 

Hg. 

200.0 

13.59 

Mb. 

96.0 

8.60 

Ni. 

58.8 

8.60’ 

Nb. 

94.0 

6.27 

N. 

14.0 

0.972 

Os. 

199.0 

21.40 

O. 

16.0 

1.105 

Pd. 

106.5 

11.60 

P. 

31.0 

1.83 

Pt. 

197.4 

21.53 

K. 

89.0 

0.865 

Ho. 

104.3 

12.1 

Kb. 

85.4 

1.52 

Ku. 

104.4 

11.4 

Se. 

79.5 

4.78 

Si. 

28.0 

2.49 

Ag. 

108.0 

10.5 

Na. 

23.0 

0.972 

Sr. 

87.6 

2.54 

S. 

82.0 

2.05 

Ta. 

182.0 

10.78 

Te. 

129.0 

6.02 

Tl. 

204.0 

11.91 

Th. 

115.7 

7.8 

Sii. 

118.0 

7.28 

Ti. 

50.0 

4.3 

W. 

184.0 

17.6 

U. 

120.0 

18.4 

Y. 

51.3 

5.50 

AL 

61.7 

— 

Zn. 

65.0 

7.14 

Zr. 

89.5 

4.15 


The figures indicating tlie proportions by weight 

















































appp:ndix. 


239 


in which the elements unite with one another are 
called the combining or atomic weights, because they 
represent the relative weights of the atoms of the 
different elements. Since hydrogen is the lightest 
element, it is taken as the standard, and its combin¬ 
ing or atomic weight=l. 

To find the proportional parts by weight of the ele¬ 
ments of any substance whose chemical formula is 
known: 

Rule.— Multiply together the equivalent and the 
exponent of each element of the compound; the 
product will be the proportion by weight of that ele¬ 
ment in the substance. 

Example .—Find the proportional weights of the 
elements of alcohol, C 2 HgO : 

Carbon Cg = equivalent 12 X exponent 2 = 24 
Hydrogen He = “ IX “ 9= 6 

Oxygen O = “ 16 X “ 1--16 

Of every 46 lbs. of alcohol, 6 lbs. will be H ; 16 0 ; 
24 C. 

To find the proportions by volume, divide by the 
specific gravity. 


Common Names of Chemical Substances. 


Common Names. 
Aqua fortis. 

Aqua regia. 

Blue vitriol. 

Cream of tartar. 
Calomel. 

Chalk. 

Caustic potash. 
Chloroform. 


Chemical Names. 
Nitric acid. 

Nitro-hydrochloric acid. 
Sulphute of copper. 
Bi-tartrate of potassium. 
Chloride of mercury. 
Carbonate of calcium. 
Hydrate of potassium. 
Chloride of formyl. 


240 rROSPECTOR^S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


Common Names. 
Common suit. 

Copperas or green vitriol. 
Corrosive sublimate. 

JJry alum. 

Epsom salts. 

Etliiops mineral. 

Galena. 

Glauber’s salt. 

Glucose. 

Iron pyrites. 

Jeweler’s putty. 

King’s yellow. 

Laughing gas. 

Lime, 

Lunar caustic. 
iMosaic gold. 

Muriate of lime. 
iSIuriatic acid. 

Nitre or saltpetre. 

Oil of vitriol. 

Potash. 

Realgar. 

Red lead. 

Rust of iron. 

Sal ammoniac. 

Salt of tartar. 

Slaked lime. 

Soda. 

Spirits of hartshorn. 
Spii'its of salt. 

Stucco or plaster of Paris. 
Sugar of lead. 

V erdigris. 

Vermilion. 

Vinegar. 

Volatile alkali. 

Water. 

AVhite precipitate. 

White vitriol. 


Chemical Names. 
Chloride of sodium. 

Sulphate of iron. 

Richloride of mercury. 
Sulphate of aluminium and 
potassium. 

Sulphate of magnesium. 
Black sulphide of mercury. 
Sulphide of lead. 

Sulphate of sodium. 

Grape sugar. 

Bisulphide of iron. 

Oxide of tin. 

Sulphide of arsenic. 

Protoxide of nitrogen. 

Oxide of calcium. 

Nitrate of silver. 

Bisulphide of tin. 

Chloride of calcium. 
Hydrochloric acid. 

Nitrate of potash. 

Sulphuric acid. 

Oxide of potassium. 

Sulphide of arsenic. 

Oxide of lead. 

Oxide of iron. 

Chloride of ammonia. 
Carbonate of potassium. 
Hydrate of calcium. 

Oxide of sodium. 

Ammonia. 

Hydrochloric acid. 

Sulphate of lime. 

Acetate of lead. 

Basic acetate of copper. 
Sulphide of mercury. 

Acetic acid (diluted). 
Ammonia. 

Oxide of hydrogen. 

A mmoniated m ercury. 
Sulphate of zinc. 


APPENDIX. 


241 


PROSPECTORS’ POINTERS. 

OLD-TIMER INSTRUCTS THE TENDERFOOT PROSPECTOR 
ON LOCATING. 

Take a soft pine board, and a hard lead pencil, 
and the writing will sometimes outlast your claim. 
I have seen such notices that have withstood the 
storms of seven or eight years and still remain 
legible. There is a great variety of ways to write a 
notice; and nearly every prospector has his own 
way. But the briefest and most concise way is as 
good as any, and the easiest. Now, I’ll write you 
one for the Catharine this way : 

Catharine Lode. 

Notice is hereby given that I, the undersigned 
citizen of the United States, having complied with 
Chapter 3G, Title 32, Revised Statutes of the United 
States, and the local regulations of Barker district, 
claim by right of discovery, 1500 feet in length, and 
600 feet in width, along the mineral-bearing vein, 
to be known as the Catharine (or any other name). 

Beginning at centre of discovery shaft and run¬ 
ning : “ How far do you run northerly ?” 

“ Seven hundred feet northeast.” 

“ Seven hundred feet in a northerly direction and 
800 feet in a southerly direction.” 

“ Always say northerly, southerly, easterly, and 
westerly in writing notices. Don’t give it any spe¬ 
cific direction. When you say ‘ northerly,’ it gives 
16 


242 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

you a chance to swing your stakes all around the 
North Pole, if necessary. You can swing your 
stakes after your location is made any way you 
want to, provided there are no conflicting claims, 
unless you change from northerly and southerly to 
easterly and westerly, or vice versa. In that case, 
you have to make an amended location and record 
it. Let’s see. Where were we ? Oh, yes ; together 
with 300 feet on either side of the vein. 

“ Located this 18th day of June, 1891. 

“ Locator —Tenderfoot, Prospector.” 

Now that is all that is necessary to hold any 
claim, as far as the notice goes. Some prospectors 
put in a claim for all dips, spurs, angles, and varia¬ 
tions throughout the width, breadth and depth of 
the claim; but that’s all foolishness. The law 
grants you all the spurs and angles and dips you 
want. You just go ahead and do as the law re¬ 
quires you to do, to hold any mining claim .”—Butte 
Bystander. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

USED IN CONNECTION WITH 

PROSPECTING, MINING, MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY, ETC. 


Acicular. Keedle-shaped. 

Adamantine. Of diamond lustre. 

Adit. A nearly horizontal passage from the surface by 
which a mine is entered. In the United States an adit is 
usually called a tunnel. 

Aerolite. A stone or other body which has come to the 
earth from distant space. 

Agate. Name given to certain siliceous minerals. 

Alligator. A rock-breaker operating by jaws. 

Alloy. A compound of two or more metals fused together. 

Alluvium. The earthy deposit made by running streams, 
especially in times of flood. 

Amalgamation. The production of an amalgam or alloy 
of mercury ; also the process in which gold and silver are 
extracted from pulverized ores by producing an amalgam 
from which the mercury is afterwards expelled. 

Amorphous. Without any crystallization or definite form. 

Analysis (in Chemistry). An examination of the sub¬ 
stance to find out the nature of the component parts and 
their quantities. The former is called qualitative and the 
latter quantitative analysis. 

Aimnometer. An instrument for measuring the rapidity 
of an air-current. 


( 243 ) 



244 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Anticlinal. The line of a crest, above or under ground, on 
the two sides of wliich the strata dip in opposite‘directions. 
The converse of synclinal. 

Apex. In the U. S. Revised Statutes, the end or edge of 
a vein nearest tlie surface. 

Aquafortis. Name formerly applied to nitric acid. 

Aqua regia. A mixture of nitric and hydrocldoric acids. 
One volume of strong nitric to three or four of liydrochloric 
acid is a good mixture. 

Arborescent. Of a tree-like form. 

Arenaceous. Siliceous or sandy (of rocks). 

Argentiferous. Containing silver. 

Argillaceoiis. Containing clay. 

Arrastre. Apparatus for grinding and mixing ores by 
means of a heavy stone dragged around upon a circular bed. 
Chietly used for ores containing free gold. 

Arsenite. Compound of a metal.with arsenic. 

Assay. To test ores and minerals by chemical or blowpipe 
examination. 

Assay-ton. A weight of 29.166| grammes. 

Assessment-work. The work done annually on a mining 
claim to maintain possessory title. 

Auriferous. Containing gold. 

Axe Stone. A species of jade. It is a silicate of magnesia 
and alumina. 

Back of a lode. The part between the roof and the sur¬ 
face. 

Back-shift. The second set of miners working in any spot 
each day. 

Bank claim. A mining claim on the bank of a stream. 

Bar. A vein or dike crossing a lode ; also a sand or rock 
ridge crossing the bed of a stream. 

Bar-diggings. Gold-washing claims located on the bars 
(shallows) of a stream, and worked when the water is low, 
or otherwise with the aid of coffer-dams. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


245 


Barilla. Native copper disseminated in grains in copper 
ores. 

Barrel-amalgamation. The amalgamation of silver ores 
in wooden barrels with quicksilver, metallic iron, and water. 

Base metals. The metals not classed as noble or precious. 
See Noble metals. 

Basin. A natural depression of strata containing a coal 
bed or other stratified deposit; also the deposit itself. 

Battery. A set of stamps in a stamp mill comprising the 
number which fall in one mortar, usually five ; also a bulk¬ 
head of timber. 

Battery-amalgamation. Amalgamation by means of mer¬ 
cury placed in the mortar. 

Bed. A seam or deposit of mineral, later in origin than 
the rock below, and older than the rock above; that is to 
say, a regular member of the series of formation, and not an 
intrusion. 

Bedded-vein. A lode occupying the position of a bed, that 
is, parallel with the stratification of the inclosing rocks. 

Bed-rock. The solid rock underlying alluvial and other 
surface formations. 

Bed-way. An appearance of stratification, or parallel 
marking, in granite. 

Belly. A swelling mass of ore in a lode. 

Black band. A variety of carbonate of iron. 

Black flax. A mixture of charcoal and potassium car¬ 
bonate. 

Blackjack. Zinc-blende. 

Black tin. Tin ore ready dressed for smelting. 

Blanch. Lead ore mixed with other minerals. 

Blende. Sulphide of zinc. 

Blind level. A level not yet connected with other work¬ 
ings. 

Blind lode. One that does not show surface croppings. 

Blossom. The oxidized or decomposed outcrop of a vein 
or coal bed. Also called smut and tailing. 


246 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Blow-out. A large outcrop beneath wliicli the vein is 
smaller. 

Blue-john. Fluorspar. 

Blue lead. The bluish auriferous gravel and cement de¬ 
posit found in the ancient river-channels of California. 

Bluff. A high bank or hill with a precipitous front. 

Bonanza. A body of rich ore. 

Booming. The accumulation and sudden discharge of a 
quantity of water (in placer mining, where water is scarce). 
See also Hushing. 

Bort. Opa(iue black diamond. 

Boulder. A fragment of rock brought by natural means 
from a distance, and usually large and rounded in shape. 

Brasque. A lining for crucibles ; generally a compound of 
clay, etc., with charcoal dust. 

Breast. The face of a working. 

Breccia. A conglomerate in which the fragments are 
angular. 

Buddie. An inclined vat, or stationary or revolving plat¬ 
form upon which ore is concentrated by means of running 
water. 

Bullion. Uncoined gold and silver. Base bullion is pig 
lead containing silver and some gold, which are separated by 
refining. 

Burr. Solid rock. 

Button. The globule of metal remaining in a crucible at 
the end of fusion. 

Cage. A frame with one or more platforms used in hoist¬ 
ing in a vertical shaft. 

Cairngorm. A variety of quartz, frequently transparent; 
used as an ornament. 

Calcareous. Containing carbonate of lime. 

Calcine. To expose to heat with or without oxidation. 

Calcite. Carbonate of lime. 

Canon. A valley, usually precipitous; a gorge. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


247 


Cap or cap-roch. Barren vein matter, or ^pinch in a vein, 
supposed to overlie ore. 

Carat. Weight, nearly equal to four grains, used for 
diamonds and precious stones. With goldsmiths and 
assayers the term carat is applied to the proportions of gold 
in an alloy; 24 carats represent fine gold. Thus 18 carat 
gold signifies that 18 out of 24 parts are pure gold, the rest 
some other metal. 

Carbonaceous. Containing carbon not oxidized. 

Carbonates. The common term in the West for ores con¬ 
taining a considerable proportion of carbonate of lead. 

Case. A small fissure admitting water into the workings. 

Cawk. Sulphate of baryta (heavy spar). 

Cement. Gravel firmly held in a siliceous matrix, or the 
matrix itself. 

Champion lode. The main vein as distinguished from 
branches. 

Chasing. Following a vein by its range or direction. 

Chert. Hornstone ; a siliceous stone often found in lime¬ 
stone. 

Choke damp. Carbonic acid gas. 

Chlorides. A common term for ores containing chloride 
of silver. 

Chloridize. To convert into chloride. Applied to the 
roasting of silver ores with salt, preparatory to amalgama¬ 
tion. 

Chute. A channel or shaft underground, or an inclined 
trough above ground, through which ore falls or is “ shot ” 
by gravity from a higher to a lower level. 

Claim. The portion of mining ground held under the 
Federal and local laws by one claimant or association, by 
virtue of one location and record. 

Cleavage. The property of a mineral of splitting more 
easily in some directions than in others. 

Clinometer. An apparatus for measuring vertical angles, 
particularly dips. 


248 trospector’s field-book and guide. 


Cohre ores. Copper ores from Cuba. 

Color. A particle of gold found in the prospector’s pan. 

Concentratiori. The removal by mechanical means of the 
lighter and less valuable poidions of ore. 

Conchoidal. Name given to a certain kind of fracture re¬ 
sembling a bivalve shell. 

Conglo'merate. A rock consisting of fragments of other 
rocks (usually rounded) cemented together. 

Consume. The chemical and mechanical loss of mercury 
in amalgamation. 

Contact. The plane between two adjacent bodies of dis¬ 
similar rock. A contact-vein is a vein, and a contact-hed is 
a bed, lying, the former more or less closely, the latter abso¬ 
lutely, along a contact. 

Counter. A cross vein. 

Country., or Country rock. The rock traversed by or adja¬ 
cent to an ore deposit. 

Course of a lode. Its direction. 

Cradle. See Jiocker. 

Cranch. Part of a vein left by old workers. 

Crater. The cup-like cavity at the summit of a volcano. 

Cretaceous. Chalky. 

Crevet. A crucible. 

Crevice. A shallow fissure in the bed-rock under a gold 
placer, in which small but highly concentrated deposits of 
gold are found ; also the fissure containing a vein. 

Cribbing. Close timbering, as the lining of a shaft. 

Cribble. A sieve. 

Croirpinej-out. The rising of layers of rock to the surface. 

Cross-course. An intersecting (usually), a barren vein. 

Cross-cut. A level driven across the course of a vein. 

Cross-vein. An intersecting vein. 

Cupriferous. Containing copper. 

Bead-roasting. Roasting carried to the farthest practica¬ 
ble degree in the expulsion of sulphur. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


249 


Dead-work. AYork that is not directly productive, tliongli 
it may be necessary for exploration and future production. 

Debris. The fragments resulting from shattering and dis- 
integration. 

Decrepitate. To crackle and tly to pieces when heated. 

Delta. The alluvial land at the mouth of a river ; usually 
bounded by two branches of the river, so as to be of a more 
or less triangular form. 

Denudation. Eock laid bare by water or other agency. 

Deoxidation. The removal of oxygen. 

Desilverization. The process of separating silver from its 
alloys. 

Desulphurization. The removal of sulphur from sulphuret 
ores. 

Develcjpment. Work done in opening up a mine. 

Dialling. Surveying a mine by means of a dial. 

Diggings. Applicable to all mineral dei)osits and niining 
camps, but in usage in the United States applied to placer¬ 
mining only. 

Dike. A vein of igneous rock. 

Diluvium. Sand, gravel, clay, etc., in superficial deposits. 

Dip. The inclination of a vein or stratum below the hori¬ 
zontal. 

Divining rod. A rod, most frequently of witch-hazel, and 
forked in shape, used according to an old but still extant 
superstition for discovering mineral veins and springs of 
water, and even for locating oil wells. 

Discoverg. The first finding of the mineral deposit in place 
upon a mining claim. A discovery is necessary before the 
location can be held by a valid title. The opening in which 
it is made is called discovery-shaft.) discovery-tunnel, etc. 

Ditch. An artificial water-course, flume or canal to con¬ 
vey water for mining. 

Dolly. An apparatus used in washing gold-bearing rocks 
(Australia). 

Drift. A horizontal passage underground ; also unstrati¬ 
fied diluvium. 


250 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Druse. A crystallized crust lining the sides of a cavity. 

Dyke. See Dike. 

Efflorescence. An incrustation of powder or threads, due 
to the loss of the water of crystallization. 

Elutriation. Purification by washing and pouring off the 
lighter matter suspended in water, leaving the heavier por¬ 
tions behind. 

E)\try. x\n adit. 

Erosion. Tlie act or operation of wearing away. 

Exploitation. The productive working of a mine, as dis¬ 
tinguished from exploration. 

Face. In any adit, tunnel, or slope, the end at which work 
is progressing or was last done. 

Fathom. 6 feet. 

Fanlt. A dislocation of the strata or vein. 

Feeder. A small vein adjoining a larger vein. 

Feldspathic. Containing feldspar as the principal ingre¬ 
dient. 

Ferruginous. Containing iron. 

Fire-damp. Light carburetted hydrogen gas. 

Fissure-vein. A fissure in the earth's crust filled with 
mineral. 

Flint. A massive impure variety of silica. 

Float-copper. Fine scales of metallic copper which do not 
readily settle in water. 

Float-gold. Fine particles of gold which do not readily 
settle in water, and hence are liable to be lost in the ordinary 
stamp-mill process. 

Float-ore. Water-worn particles of ore ; particl,es of vein- 
material found on the surface, away from the vein outcrop. 

Floor. The rock underlying a stratified or nearly hori¬ 
zontal deposit; also a horizontal, Hat ore body. 

Flume. A wooden conduit bringing water to a mine or 
mill. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 251 

Flux. A salt or other mineral added in smelting to assist 
fusion by forming more fusible compounds. 

Foliated. Arranged in leaf-like laminre (such as mica 
schist). 

Foot-wall. The wall under the vein. 

Forfeiture. The loss of possessory title to a mine by fail¬ 
ure to comply with the laws prescribing the quantity of 
assessment work, or by actual abandonment. 

Formation. The series of rocks belonging to an age, 
period or epoch, as the Silurian 

Fossil. Term applied to express the animal or vegetable 
remains found in rocks. 

Founder shaft. The first shaft sunk. 

Free. Native, uncombined with other substances, ns free 
gold or silver. 

Free-milling. Applied to ores which contain free gold or 
silver, and cnn be reduced by crushing and amalgamation, 
without roasting or other chemical treatment. 

Fuller^s earth. An unctuous clay, usually of a greenish- 
gray tint, compact yet frinble. Used by fullers to absorb 
moisture. 

Gad. A steel wedge. 

Galiage. Koyalty. 

Gallery. A level or drift. 

Gangue. The mineral associated with the ore in a vein. 

Gash. Applied to a vein wide above, narrow below, and 
terminating in depth within the formation it traverses. 

Geode. A cavity, studded around with crystals or mineral 
matter, or a rounded stone containing such cavity. 

Glance. Literally, shining. Name applied to certain sul- 
Ijhides. 

Goaves. Old workings. 

Gopher or Gopher-drift. An irregular pn specting drift, 
following or seeking the ore without regard to maintenance 
of a regular grade or section. 

Gossan or Gozzan. Hydrated oxide of iron, usually found 
at the decomposed outcrop of a mineral vein. 


252 


pkospector’s field-book and guide. 


Gravel mine. In the United States, an accumulation of 
auriferous gravel. 

Gri}). A small narrow cavity. 

Grit. A variety of sandstone of coarse texture. 

Guhhin. A kind of iron stone. 

Gulch. A ravine. 

Gullet. An opening in the strata. 

Hade. See Underlay. 

Hanging-side or Hanging-wall.^ or Hanger. The wall or 
side over the vein. 

Heading. The vein above a drift: also an interior level or 
air-way driven in the mine. 

Heading side. The under side of a lode. 

Hog-hack. A sharp anticlinal, decreasing in height at 
both ends until it runs out; also a ridge produced by highly 
tilted strata. 

Horse. A mass of country-rock inclosed in an ore deposit. 

Hungry. A term applied to hard barren vein matter, such 
as white quartz. 

Hushing. The discovery of veins by the accumulation and 
suflden discharge of water, which washes away the surface 
soil and lays bare the rock. See Booming. 

Hydraulicking. Washing down a bank of earth or gravel 
by the use of pipes, conveying water under high pressure. 

Hydrous. Containing water in its composition. 

Igneous. Resulting from the action of fire, as, lavas and 
basalt are igneous rocks. 

Impregnation. An ore-deposit consisting of the country- 
rock impregnated with ore. 

Incline. A shaft not vertical; also a plane, not necessarily 
under ground. 

Incrustation. A coating of matter. 

In place. Of rock, occupying, relative to surrounding 
masses, the position that it had when formed. 

Irestone. Hard clay slate; hornstone; horn-blende. 

Iridescent, Showing rainbow colors. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


253 


Jigging. Separating ores according to specific gravity 
with a sieve agitated up and down in water. The apparatus 
is called ‘djig or jigger. 

Jinny-road. A gravity plane underground. 

Jump. To take po.ssession of a mining claim alleged to 
have been forfeited or abandoned ; also, a dislocation of a 
vein. 

KeckJe-meckle. The poorest kind of lead ore. 

Kibhal or kibble. An iron bucket for raising ore. 

Kicker. Ground left in first cutting a vein, for support of 
its sides. 

Kiiufs yellow. Sulphide of arsenic. 

Knits or knots. Small particles of ore. 

Lagoon. A marsh, shallow pond or lake. 

Lamina. A thin plate or scale. 

Lava. Kock formed by the consolidation of liquid matter 
which has flowed from a volcano. 

Leaching. See Lixiviation. 

Leatli. Applied to the soft part of a vein. 

Level. A horizontal passage or drift into or in a mine. 

Limp. An instrunient for striking the refuse from the 
sieve in washing ores. 

Litharge. Protoxide of lead. 

Lixiviation. The separation of a soluble from an insoluble 
material by means of washing with a solvent. 

Loadstone. An iron ore consisting of protoxide and 
peroxide of iron ; Magnetite. 

Locate. To establish a right to a mining claim. 

Lode. A regular vein carrying metal. 

Long Tom. A kind of gold-washing cradle. 

Mainway. A gangway or principal passage. 

Marl. Clay containing carbonate of lime. 

Mass-copper. ^N'ative copper occuring in large masses. 


254 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Massicot. See Litharge. 

Matrix. The rock or earthy material containing a mineral 
or metallic ore ; the gangue. 

Measures. Strata of coal, or the formation containing 
coal beds. 

Meat-earth. The vegetable mould. 

Metamorphic. Changed in form and structure. 

Mine. In general, any excavation for minerals. More 
strictly, subterranean workings, as distinguished from quar¬ 
ries., placer and hydraulic mines, and surface or open works. 

Mineral. In miners’ parlance, ore. 

Mineralized. Charged or impregnated with metalliferous 
mineral. 

JSHneral-right. The ownership of the minerals under a 
given surface, with the right to enter thereon, mine and 
remove them. It may be separated from the surface owner¬ 
ship, but, if not so separated by distinct conveyance, the 
latter includes it. 

Mine-rent. Tlie rent or royalty paid to the owner of a 
mineral right by the operator of the mine. 

Miners’’ inch. A local unit for the measurement of water 
supplied to hydraulic miners. It is the amount of water 
tlowing under a certain head through one scpiare incli of the 
total section of a certain opening for a certain number of 
hours daily. 

Minium. ITotoses(iuioxide of lead. 

Mock ore. A false kind of mineral. 

Monkey drift. A small prospecting drift. 

Mountain blue. Blue copper ore. 

Muffle. A semi-cylindrical or long arched oven, usually 
small and made of fire-clay. 

Mundic. Iron pyrites, called so in Cornwall. 

Native. Occurring in nature; not artificially formed; 
usually applied to the metals. 

Nickeliferous or Niccoliferous. Containing nickel. 

Nittings. The refuse of good ore. 


GLOSSARY OR TERMS. 


255 


Nohle metals. The metals which have so little affinity for 
oxygen that their oxides are reduced by the mere application 
of heat without a reagent; in other words, the metals least 
liable to oxidation under ordinary conditions. The list in¬ 
cludes gold, silver, mercury, and the platinum group. 

Nodule or Noddle. A small round mass. 

Nugget. A lump of native metal, especially of a precious 
metal. 

Opeyi cut. A surface working, open to daylight. 

Ore. A natural mineral compound, of the elements of 
which one at least is a metal. 

Outcrop. The portion of a vein or stratum emerging at 
the surface, or appearing immediately under the soil and 
surface debris. 

Output. The product of a mine. 

Oxidation. A chemical union with oxygen. 

Oxide. The combination of a metal with oxygen. 

Panning. Washing earth or crushed rock in a pan, by 
agitation with water, to obtain the particles of greatest 
specific gravity it contains; chiefly practiced for gold, also 
for quicksilver, diamonds and other gems. 

Parting. The separation of two metals in an alloy, es¬ 
pecially the separation of gold and silver by means of nitric 
or sulphuric acid. 

Pavement. The floor of a mine. 

Pay-streak. The zone in a vein which carries the profit¬ 
able or pay-ore. 

Peroxide. The oxide which contains greatest amount of 
oxide. 

Peter or peter-out. To fail gradually in size or quality. 

Phosphates. Phosphoric acid combinations. 

Pinch. To contract in width. 

Pipje or pipe-vein. An ore-body of elongated form. 

Piping. Washing gold deposits by means of a hose. 

Placer. A deposit of valuable mineral, found in particles 
in alluvium or diluvium., or beds of streams, etc. 


256 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Plat. The map of a survey in horizontal projection. 

Plumbago. Graphite or black lead. 

Plush-copper. A fibrous red copper ore. 

Pocket. A small body of ore. 

Porphyritic. Of the nature of porphyry. 

Potstone. Compact steatite. 

Precipitate. Term applied to solid matter which is sepa¬ 
rated from a solution by the addition of reaj?ents or exposure 
to heat. 

Prill. A good sized piece of pure ore. 

Pryan. Ore in small pebbles mixed with clay. 

Pudding-Stone. A conglomerate in which the pebbles are 
rounded. 

Puljj-assay. The assay of samples taken from the ptdp^ 
i. e., pulverized ore and water, after or during crushing. 

Putty pjoirder. Crude oxide of tin. 

Quarry. An open or day working. 

Quartz. Crystalline silica ; also, any hard gold or silver 
ore, as distinguished from gravel or earth, hence quartz-min¬ 
ing as distinguished from hydraulic, etc. 

Quartose. Containing quartz as a principal ingredient. 

Quicksand. Sand which is, or becomes, upon the access 
of water, ‘‘quick,” i. e., shifting, easily movable or semi¬ 
liquid. 

Pace. A small thread of spar or ore. 

Pange. A mineral-bearing belt of rocks. 

Pavine. A deep narrow valley. 

Peduce. To deprive of oxygen; also, in general to treat 
metallurgically for the production of metal. 

Pefractory. Resisting the action of heat and chemical 
agents. 

Pider. See Horse. 

Piffle. A groove or interstice, or a cleat or block, so placed 
as to produce tlie same effect, in the bottom of a sluice, to 
catch free gold. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 257 

Rim-rock. Tlie bed-rock rising to form the boundary of a 
placer or gravel deposit. 

Roasting. Calcination, usually with oxidation. 

Rocker. A short trough in which auriferous sands are 
agitated by oscillation, in water, to collect their gold. 

Rolleii-tray. x\. gangway. 

Rosette copper. Disks of cnp])er, red from the presence of 
suboxide, formed by cooling the surface of melted copper 
through sprinkling with water. 

Royalty. The dues of a lessor or landlord of a mine, or of 
the owner of a patented invention. 

Rusty gold. Free gold which does not easily amalgamate, 
the particles being coated, as is supposed, with oxide of iron. 

Saddle. An anticlinal in a bed or flat vein. 

Sal ammoniac. Chloride of ammonium. 

Saline. A salt-spring or well; salt works. 

Schist. Crystalline rock. 

Schorl. Black tourmaline. . 

- Seam. A stratum or bed of coal or other mineral. 

Sectile. Easily cut. 

Segregate. To separate the undivided joint ownership of a 
mining claim into smaller individual •'■segregated ” claims. 

Segregation. A niineral deposit formed by concentration 
from the adjacent rock. 

Salvage or Self edge. A layer of clay or decomposed rock 
along a vein-wall. 

Shaft. A pit sunk from the surface. 

Shake. A cavern, usually in limestone; also a crack in a 
block of stone. 

Shift. The time for a miner’s work in one day ; also the 
gang of men working for that period, as the day-shift^ the 
night-shift. 

Side-hasset. A transverse direction to the line of dip in 
strata. 

Siliceous. Consisting of or containing si lex or quarts. 

17 


258 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Slag. The vitreous mass separated from tlie fused metals 
in smelting ores. 

Slickensides. Polished and sometimes striated surfaces on 
the wads of a vein, or on interior joints of the vein-material 
or of rock masses. 

Slime ore. Finely crushed ore mixed with water to the 
consistence of mud or slime. 

Sline. Natural transverse cleavage of rock. 

Slip. A vertical dislocation of rocks. 

Slope. An inclined opening to a mine. 

Sluicing. Washing auriferous earth through long boxes 
(sluices). 

Slums. The most finely crushed ores. 

Spall or S}}aid. To break ore. Pieces of ore thus broken 
are called spalls. 

Speiss or speise. Impure metallic arsenides, principally of 
iron produced in copper and lead smelting. Cobalt and 
nickel are found concentrated in the speiss obtained from 
ores containing these metals. 

Spoon. An instrument made of an ox or buffalo horn, in 
which earth or pulp may be delicately tested by washing to 
detect gold, amalgam, etc. 

Spur. A branch leaving a vein, but not returning to it. 

Starmary. A tin mine, or tin works. 

Step-vein. A vein alternately cutting through the strata 
of country-rock and running parallel with them. 

Stockwork. An ore deposit of such a form that it is 
worked in doors or stories. 

Slope. To remove the ore. 

Stratum. A bed or layer. 

Streak. The powder of a mineial, or the mark which it 
makes when rubbed upon a harder substance. 

Striated. Marked with parallel grooves or striae. 

Strike. The direction of a horizontal line drawn in the 
middle plane of a vein or stratum not horizontal. 

String. A small vein. 


GLOSSARY OR TERMS. 


259 


Strip. To remove from a quarry, or oper working, the 
overlying earth and disintegrated or barren surface rock. 

Stull. A platform laid on timbers, braced across a work¬ 
ing from side to side, to support workmen or to carry ore or 
waste. 

Stu7't. A tri6ide-bargain which turns out profitable for the 
miner. 

Sublimation. The volatilization and condensation of a solid 
substance without fusion. 

SubmetalUc. Of imperfect metallic lustre. 

Subsidence. The sinking down of. 

Suhtransparent. Of imperfect transparency. 

Sulphate. A salt containing sulphuric acid. 

Sulphide. A combination of metal with sulphur. 

Sulphurets. In miners’ phrase, the undecomposed me¬ 
tallic ores, usually sulphides. Chiefly applied to auriferous 
pyrites. 

Synclinal. The axis of a depression of the strata; also the 
depression itself. Opposed to anticlinal., which is the axis of 
an elevation. 

Tailings. The lighter and sandy portions of the ore on a 
buddle or in a sluice. 

Tail-race. The channel in which tidings, suspended in 
water, are conducted away. 

Thermal. Hot, e. c/., thermal springs. 

Throw. A dislocation or fault of a vein or stratum, which 
has been thrown up or down by the movement. 

Tinstone. Ore containing small grains of oxide of tin. 

Toad stone. A kind of trap-rock. 

Toughening, lielining, as of copper or gold. 

Translucent. Allowing light to pass through, yet not 
transparent. 

Trap. In miners’ parlance, any dark igneous, or appar¬ 
ently igneous, or volcanic rock. 

Tribute. A portion of ore given to the miner for his labor. 


260 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Trogue. A wooden trough, forming a drain. 

Troio. A wooden channel for air or water. 

Tuff or Tufa. A soft sandstone or calcareous deposit. 

Tunnel. A nearly horizontal underground passage, open 
at both ends to day. See Adit. 

Turn. A pit sunk in a drift. 

Underlay or Underlie. The departure of a vein or stratum 
from the vertical, usually measured in horizontal feet per 
fathom of inclined depth. 

Unstratified. Not arranged in strata. 

Upcast. A lifting of a coal seam by a dike. 

Vein. See Lode. The term vein is also sometimes applied 
to small threads, or subordinate features of a larger deposit. 

Vein stuff. Ore associated with gangue. 

Vermilion. Mercury sulphide. 

Vitreous. Glassy. 

Volatile. Capable of easily passing off as vapor. 

Vug.,Vugg or Vugh. A cavity in the rock, usually lined 
with a crystalline incrustation. See Geode. 

Wastrel. A tract of waste land, or any waste material. 

Weathering. Changing under the effect of continued ex¬ 
posure to atmospheric agencies. 

Whim or Whimsey. A machine for hoisting by means of 
a vertical drum, revolved by horse or steam power. 

White-damp). A poisonous gas sometimes encountered in 
coal mines. 

Wild lead. Zinc blende. 

Win. To extract ore or coal. 

Winze. An interior shaft, usually connecting two levels. 

Working home. Working toward the main shaft in ex¬ 
tracting ore. 

W^orking out. Working away from the main shaft in ex¬ 
tracting ore. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


261 


Zinc-scum. The zinc-silver alloy skimmed from the sur¬ 
face of the bath in the process of desilverization of lead by 
zinc. 

Zinc-white. Oxide of zinc. 






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INDEX. 


A cid, nitric, preparation of, 93, 
94 

Adamantine lustre, 5 
Agate, 218, 219 

Alabama, deposits of bauxite in, 

m 

Alabaster, 188 
Almandine ruby, 213 
Alum, 180 

Alumina, detection of, 51 
indication of, 59 
Aluminium, 174-178 

antimony, manganese, 174- 
181 

future source of, 175 
production of, from bauxite, 
176, 177 

Amalgamating assay, directions 
for making an, 83-85 
Amalgam, native, 157 
Amethyst, 220 

oriental, 175, 211 
Amydolite, 12 

Analyses of ores, wet method, 
50-65 

Analysis, dry method of, 53 

of ores for nickel and cobalt, 
162-170 

qualitative, of ores, 53 
wet method of, directions for 
the, 53-65 

Aneroid barometer, to measure 
heights with the, 42, 43 
Anglesite, 132 
Anthracite, 184, 185 
Antimony, 178 

aluminium, manganese, 174- 
181 

detection of, 51 


Antimony, indication of, 64 

ore, testing of, by the dry 
method, 70, 71 
Apatite, 181 
Aqueous rocks, 13 
Areas, to measure, 43-45 
Argentite, 108 

Arizona, meteoric masses from, 38 
occurrence of diamonds in, 
209 

ruby copper in, 123, 124 
true turquoise in, 40 
Arkansas, deposits of bauxite in, 
177 

Arsenic, 182, 183 

detection of, in ores, 50 
native, 182 
testing for, 63, 64 

with the blow-pipe, 
29 

Arsenical pyrites, 151 
Asbestos, 183 
Asbolite, 172, 173 
Ashby’s Gap, tin ore near, 142 
Asphalt, native, 203-205 
noted deposits of, 204 
petroleum, ozocerite, peat, 
192-205 
Assay, 22 

amalgamating, directions for 
making an, 83-85 
furnace, 65, 66 
of tin ore, 136 
Asterias, 175, 212 
Australia, occurrence of diamonds 
in, 208 

Avoirdupois weight, 228 
Azoic rock, 8 
Azurite, 121, 122 


(263 ) 





264 


INDEX. 


B ALAS ruby, 213 

Banca, discovery of tin in, 
137 

Barium sulphate, 183, 184 
Barometer, aneroid, to measure 
heights with the, 42, 43 
Barytes, 183, 184 
Basalt, 12 
Batea, the, 77 
Bauxite, 176-178 
Beds and layers, 16 
Bell-metal, 138 
Beryl, 214 

Billiton, discovery of tin in, 137 
Biotite, 15 
Bismuth, 158 
gold, 74 

indication of, 62 
nickel, cobalt, cadmium and 
mercury, 157-173 
Bitumen, 203-205 
elastic, 203 
Bituminous coal, 185 
Black band ore, 150 
diamond, 207, 209 
gold, 74 

Hills, cassiterite of the, 142 
jack, 144 
lead, 186, 187 
oxide of copper, 121 
Blende, 144 
Bloodstone, 220 
Blow out, iron stone, 88, 89 
Blow-pipe, the, 19-29 

color of borax bead in test¬ 
ing with the, 25-27 
flames, illustration and 
practice in showing the 
characteristic power of, 
23, 24 

how to make a, 25 
mode of using the, 20, 21 
practice, illustration of, 22- 
24 

requirements for, 19,20 
principal means of chemic¬ 
ally testing minerals be¬ 
fore the, 25-29 
testing with carbonate of 
soda on charcoal before 
the, 27-29 


Blue carbonate of copper, 121, 122 
Blueite, 162 

Blue Ridge, tin ore on the western 
slope of the, 142 
Bog iron, 18 
Borax, 20, 184 

bead, color of the, in testing 
with the blow-pipe, 25-27 
Boring, 236 
bars, 236 

Borneo, occurrence of the dia¬ 
mond in, 207 
Bornite, 122 
Brasquing, 66 

Brazil, occurrence of the diamond 
in, 207 

British weights and measures, 
basis of, 227 

Brittle silver ore, 109, 110 
Bromic silver, 110 
Bromyrite, 110 
Brown coal, 185 

hematite, 148. 149 
iron ore, 148, 149 

pADMlUM, 173 

^ mercury, bisnmth, nickel and 
cobalt, 157-173 
Calamine, 143, 144 
Calcite hexagonal crystals, 34, 35 
California, asbestos in, 183 
asphalt in, 204 
cinnabar in, 158 
Gulch, section of strata show¬ 
ing portion of the lead de¬ 
posits in, 131 
diamonds in, 209 
free gold in, 89 
petroleum in, 192 
platinum in, 102 
tin ore in, 142 
Canada, asbestos in, 183 
pyrrhotite in, 170 
Candle, flame of a, study of the, 22 
i Canuel coal, 185 
I Carbonados, 237 
Carbonate of lead, 130, 131 

deposits, section of 
strata showing 
! portion of the, 

131 







INDEX. 


2G5 


Carbonate of soda, dry, prepara¬ 
tion of, 20 

Carbonates, mineral detection of, 
52 

Carnelian, 219 
Cassiterite, 137 
Cerargyrite. 108, 109 
Cerussite, 130, 131 
Chalcedony, 219 
Chalcocite, 119, 120 
Chalcopyrite, 2, 120 
Chemical elements, their symbols, 
equivalents and specific 
gravities, 237, 23S 
substances, common names 
of, 239, 240 
Chlorospinel, 213 
Chromate of lead, 132, 133 
Chromic iron, 1 50 
Chromite, 150 

Chromium oxide, indication of, 
59, GO 

Chrysocolla, 121 
Cinnabar, 157 
streak of, 3 
Cleavage, 2 

Coal, mineral, 184, 185 
Cobalt, 171-173 

and nickel, analysis of ores 
for, 162-170 
separation of, in ana¬ 
lyzing nickel and 
cobalt ores, 168, 
169 

cadmium, mercury, bismuth 
and nickel, 157-173 
detection of, 51 
earthy, 172, 173 
indication of, 61 
wad, 172, 173 
Cobaltite, 171 

Colorado, deposits of sulphide of 
zinc in, 145 
petroleum in, 192 
true turquoise in, 40 
Compass, method of using the, in 
searching for ores, 155, 156 
Comstock lode, east and west sec¬ 
tion across the. 111, 
112 

extent of the, 113 


Comstock lode, north and south 
section of. 111, 114 
silver ore in the, 109 
Conchoidal fracture, 3 
Connecticut, topaz in, 38 
Copper, and how measured in 
ores, 118-128 

bed at Doll}" Hide Mine, Md., 
section of the, 122 
behavior of, before the blow- 
j)ipe, 118 

black oxide of, 121 
blue carbonate of, 121, 122 
indication of, 50, 62 
geology of, 123-125 
glance, 119, 120 
green carbonate of, 121 
nickel, 159, 160 
occurrence of, 118 
ore, red, 119 

testing of, by the dry 
method, 70 
properties of, 118 
pyrites, 120 

separation of, in analyzing 
nickel and cobalt ores, 163 
silicate of, 121 

suggestions for the detection 
of, as an ore, 124, 125 
testing for, 118, 119 
to obtain the per cent, of, in 
an ore, 125-128 
Corundum, 174, 175, 212 
Cradle, the. 77-79 
Crocoite, 132, 133 
Crowder’s Mount, N. C., occur¬ 
rence of lazulite at, 37 
Crowder’s Mount, N. C., topaz at, 
38 

Crucibles, 65 

Crystalline forms, systems of, 30 
Crystallographic systems, illus¬ 
trations of, 36, 37 
Crystallography, 30-40 
Crystals, gold, 74, 75 
Cryolite, 175 

Cuba, asi)halt de[)Osits in, 204 
Cube, the, 31, 32 
Cupel, 65 

Cupellation, 68, 69 
Cuprite, 119 



266 


INDEX. 


Cyanide of potassium, 20 

extraction of gold 
by, 85, 86 

D akota, forms of granite in, 
141 

Diamond, 206-211 
black, 201, 209 
color of, 209 
drill, 236, 237 

minerals associated with the, 
in South Africa, 207 
natural surface of the, 209 
occurrence of the, 206-209 
refraction of, 210 
rocks associated with the, in 
South Africa, 207, 208 
rough,209 

specific gravity of, 210 
value of, 209, 210 
Deposits, irregular, 16 
surface, 16-18 
Dodecahedron, the, 32 
Dolerite, 12 

Dolly Hide Mine, Md., section of 
the copper bed at, 122 
Dolomite, 185 
Drill, diamond, 236, 237 
Dry assay of ore, 65-71 

pulverization for the, 67, 
68 

method of analysis, 53 
Dykes, volcanic, 12 
Dysartville, McDowell Co., N. C., 
occurrence of diamonds at, 209 

E agle vein. Lake Superior, 
section of the, 123 
Earth, movements of the crust 
of, 9 

Earthy cobalt, 172, 173 
fracture, 2 

East Galicia, occurrence of ozo¬ 
cerite in, 201, 202 
Elaterite, 203 

Elements, chemical, their sym¬ 
bols, equivalents and spe¬ 
cific gravities, 237, 238 
to find the proportional parts 
by weight of the, 239 
Emerald, 214 


Emerald, nickel, 160 
oriental, 175, 211 
Emery. 175, 212 
Emma Mine, 116 
English length, 227 
Epidote, 217 
Erubiscite, 122 
Erythrite, 172 

Etta Mine, form of granitic masses 
at the, 141, 142 
minerals occurring in 
the, 139 

Eureka Mines, geology of, 115 
limestone of, 115, 116 
occurrence of ores in 
the, 115 

Excess, definition of, 59 
Eye agates, 219 

F eldspar, i85, i86 

crystals, 35, 36 

Filtrate, the, in analysis by the 
wet method, 58 
Fire opal, 217 
Flame, oxidizing, 22 
reducing, 22 
i Florentine, the, 210 
I Fluorite, 186 
Fluorspar, 186 

Flux for melting gold and silver 
ores, 69 
Foleyrite, 161 
Fracture, 2, 3 
Franklinite, 147 
French measures, 232, 233 
Fuming nitric acid, preparation 
of, 93, 94 

Furnace, assay, 65, 66 

G alena, i3o 

limestone, section of, 133, 
134 

test for silver in, 129, 130 
testing for, by the dry 
method, 70 

Gallon, contents of the, 231, 232 
Garnet, brown, 141 
Garnets, 39, 215, 216 
Garnierite, 170 

Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard, 
Mass., clays at, 177, 178 






INDEX. 


267 


Geras and precious stones, 206- 
225 

occurrence of, 40 
table of characteristics of, 
223-225 

Gem-stones known to occur in the 
United States, list of, 
221 , 222 

occurring only in the 
United States, 222 
species and varieties of, 
found in the United 
States, but not within 
gem form, 222 
species and varieties of, 
not yet identified in 
any form in the United 
States, 222 

Geology, mineralogy, raining, 
prospecting, etc., glossary 
of terras used in connec¬ 
tion with, 243-261 
practical, 9-19 

Georgia, deposits of bauxite in, 177 
lazulite found in, 37 
Glance coal, 184, 185 
Glass bottle, mode of cutting off 
the bottom of a, 56 
Glassy lustre, 5 

Glossary of terms used in connec¬ 
tion with prospecting, mining, 
mineralogy, geology, etc., 243- 
261 

Gneiss, 13 
Gold, 72-101 

action of, under the blow¬ 
pipe, 76 

amalgam, 74, 87 
bismuth, 74 
black, 74 
color of, 1, 2 
crystallization of, 74, 75 
distribution of, 72, 73 
dust, 74, 75 

extraction of, by cyanide of 
potassium, 85, 86 
German aphorism relating 
to, 88 

' in combination, 92-98 

metallic sulphides, to sep¬ 
arate, 92-98 


Gold, in review with additional re¬ 
marks, 98-101 

instrument for the discovery 
of, 77 

largest nugget of, ever found, 
75 

localities of the chief sup¬ 
plies of, 73 
lump of, 74, 75 
manner of occurrence of, 73 
native, composition of, 73 
determination of, 50 
in pyrites, detection of, 
74 

ore, flux for, 69 
ores, testing of, by the dry 
method, 68-70 
original position of, 87 
physical properties of, 75, 76 
placer, 86 

points to observe by the 
prospector in searching 
for, 99, 100 

primary location of, 98 
resistance of, to acids, 76 
rule for ascertaining the 
amount of, in a lump of 
auriferous quartz, 100, 101 
specific gravity of ores associ¬ 
ated with, 233 

Tungusian method of search¬ 
ing for, 17 

variations in the color of, 
75, 76 

various forms and conditions 
of, 86, 87 

where found, 87-92 
Grand Duke of Tuscany diamond, 
the, 210 
Granite, 14-16 

metamorphic, composition 
of, 91 

Granites, tin ore in the, 139 
Granitic regions, gold in, 88 
Graphite, 186, 187 

test for the purity of, 187 
Graves’s Mount, Ga., occurrence 
of lazulite at, 37 
Gray copper, 120 
Green carbonate of copper, 121 
Greenockite, 173 




268 


INDEX. 


Greenstone, 12 
Gypsum, 188 

H ackly fracture, 2 

Hall Co., Ga., diamond 
found in, 209 
Hardness, 3, 4 
scale of, 4 
test of, 4, 5 
Harlequin opal, 217 
Hearney Peak Mines, 139 

minerals in 
the, 141 

Heavy spar, 183, 184 
Heights, inaccessible, to measure, 
41-43 

Hematite, brown, 148, 149 
red, 147, 148 

Hexagonal system, 33, 34 

illustrations of, 36 
Horizons, geological necessity of 
a knowledge of, 9, 10 
in the United States which 
abound in the useful min¬ 
erals, 10 

Horn silver, 107, 109 
Hydraulic mining, 80-82 
Hydrogen apparatus, 166, 167 
sulphide, apparatus for pre¬ 
paring, 56-58 
Hyposyenite, 91 

I DAHO, diamonds in, 209 
Igneous rocks, 8, 12 

composition of, 
91 

India, occurrence of the diamond 
in, 206, 207 

Instruction, preparatory, 1-29 
Intrusive rocks, 12 
Iridium, 105 
Iron, 146-156 

and zinc, 143-156 
chief ores of, 146-150 
determination of the amount 
of, in an ore, 66, 67 
geology of, 151-153 
meteoric 38 
native, 146 
ore, brown, 148, 149 
spathic, 149 


Iron ores, not used for the mak¬ 
ing of iron and steel, 
150, 151 

occurrence of, 7, 8 
pyrites, 2, 150, 151 

to separate gold in, 92- 
98 

sesquioxide, indication of, 60 
specular, streak of, 3 
use of the magnetic needle 
in prospecting for, 153-156 
Ironstone “ blow out,” 88, 89 
Isometric system, 30-32 

illustrations of, 36 

JACINTH, form of the, 33 
^ Jack’s tin, 162 
Jasper, 219, 220 
opal, 218 

Jefferson Co., N. Y., condemna¬ 
tion of valuable iron ore in, 6 
Jet, 185 
Jumpers, 236 

K aolins, most valuable, 174 
Kentucky, occurrence of pe¬ 
troleum in, 192 

Kimberley mine, diamond bear¬ 
ing ground at the, 208 
Koh-i-noor, the, 210 

L ake GEORGE diamonds, 220 
Lake Superior copper region, 
section of strata 
in, 123 

iron ores of, geo¬ 
logical horizons 
around the, 148 

Lapis lazuli, 37 
Lava, 12 

Layers and beds, 16 
Lazulite, 37 
Lead, 129-136 

and tin, 129-142 
carbonate of, 130, 131 
chromate of, 132, 133 
deposit, section of a, in a 
fissure in the limestone, 135 
district of Wisconsin, Illinois 
and Iowa, order of strata 
in the, 129 




INDEX. 


209 


Lead, geology of, 133-136 
indication of, 55 
lode in micaceous slate, 130 
occurrence of, 129 
ochre, 133 

ore, testing of, by the dry 
method, 70 
phosphate of, 132 
properties of, 129 
section of galena limestone 
showing the occurrence of, 
in lodes, 134 

separation of, in analyzing 
nickel and cobalt ores, 162, 
163 

sulphate of, 132 

indication of, 62 
veins, circulation of water 
in, 134, 135 
Length, English, 227 
French, 232 

particular measures of, 228 
Lignite, 185 
Lime, detection of, 51 
phosphate of, 181 
Limestones, galena, 133 
Liraonite, 148, 149 
Line, inaccessible, to measure an, 
45-48 

Linnaeite, 172 

Lithographic limestone, 188, 189 
Lode, examination of a, 18 
prospecting, 82, 83 
Lodes, 16 
Long tom, 79 
Lustre, kinds of, 5, 6 

M agnesia, detection of, 51 
Magnetic needle, use of the, 
in prospecting for iron, 
153-156 

Magnetite, 146, 147 
occurrence of, 18 
Malachite, 121 
Manganese, 18, 178-181 

aluminium, antimony, 174- 
181 

carbonate, 180 

indication of, 61 
chief producing statea of, 180 
detection of, 51 


Manganese, geological position of, 
180, 181 

ores, classes of, 178 
Mnssicot, 133 

Measure, French, solid, 233 
surface, 232 
solid, 228 
surface, 228 

Measures and weights, 227-233 
French, 232, 233 
Mercury, 157, 158 

bismuth, nickel, cobalt and 
cadmium, 157-173 
detection of, 52 
indication of, 55 
ore, testing of, by the dry 
method, 70 

oxide, indication of, 62 
Metallic adamantine lustre, 5 
lustre, 5 
streak, 3 

Metals, color imparted by, to 
fused borax, 25-27 
colors of. 1 
forms of, 1 
native, 1 

specific gravity of, 233 
testing for, Avith carbonate 
of soda on cliarcoal before 
the blow-pipe, 27-29 
Metamorphic granite, composi¬ 
tion of, 91 
rocks, 13 

formation of, 90, 91 
Meteoric iron, 38 
Meteorites, constitution of, 38, 39 
Mica, 189 

schist, 13 

Middletown, Conn., lead lode in 
micaceous slate in a mine near, 
130 

Milk opal, 217 
Millerite, 160, 161 
Mill parts, power necessary for 
different, 235, 236 
Mills, power for, 235, 236 
Mineralogy, geology, mining, 
prospecting, etc., glossary 
of terms used in connec¬ 
tion with, 243-261 
special, 72-191 




270 


INDEX. 


Mineralogy, technical, 1-9 
definition of, 7 

Mineral carbonates, detection of, 
52 

resins allied to ozocerite, 202, 
203 

substances, assumption of a 
characteristic form by, 30 
tar, 194 

Minerals, associated with the 
diamond in South Africa, 
207 

cleavage of, 2 

composition of, indicated by 
their forms, 30 
form of, 6 
fracture of, 2, 3 
guises of, 1 
hardness of, 3, 4 
lustre of, 5, 6 

of common occurrence, spe¬ 
cific gravity of, 234, 235 
principal means of chemically 
testing, before the blow¬ 
pipe, 25-29 
streak of, 3 

various, useful, 181-191 
weight of, 6 

Mining, hydraulic, 80-82 

mineralogy, geology, pro¬ 
specting, etc., glossary of 
terms used in connection 
with, 243-261 
Mispickel, 151 
Molybdenite, 189, 190 
Molybdenum, 189, 190 
Monoclinic system, 35, 36 

illustrations of, 
36, 37 

Moss agate, 219 
Mud volcanoes, 196 
Muffle, 65 
Muscovite, 16 

N ative amalgam, 157 

New Caledonia, nickel ores 
in, 170 

New Mexico, true turquoise in, 40 
New Zealand, occurrence of dia¬ 
monds in, 208 
Nickel, 159-170 


Nickel and cobalt, analysis of ores 
for, 162-170 
separation of, in ana¬ 
lyzing nickel and 
cobalt ores, 168,169 
arsenide, 159, 160 
chief ores of, 159-161 
cobalt, cadmium, mercury 
and bismuth, 157-173 
detection of, 51 
indication of, 61 
Nicolite, 159, 160 
Nitre, 190 

Nitric acid, preparation of, 93, 94 
North Carolina, lazulite found in, 
37 

manganese in, 181 
meteoric iron in, 38 
petroleum in, 192 
topaz found in, 38 

O BSIDIAN, 12 

Octahedron, the, 32 
Oil-bearing rock, tracing the, 195 
sandstone, fresh fracture 
of, 194 

Oil strata, Pennsylvania, 192 
Onyx, 220 
Opal, 217, 218 

Ore, association of, in metallifer¬ 
ous veins, 18, 19 
determination of the amount 
of iron in an, 66, 67 
dry assay of, 65-71 
Oregon, platinum in, 102 
Ores, analyses of, wet method, 
50-65 

analysis of, for nickel and 
cobalt, 162-170 
method of using the compass 
in searching for, 155, 156 
preliminary examinations of, 
50 

qualitative analysis of, 53 
specific gravity of, 233, 234 
Oriental amethyst, 175, 211 
emerald, 175, 211 
ruby, 175 
topaz, 175, 211 
Orlof diamond, the, 210 
Orpiment, 182, 183 



INDEX. 


271 


Orthoclase, 16, 185, 186 
crystals, 35 

Orthorhombic system, 34, 35 

illustrations of, 36 
Osmium, 105, 106 
Oxide of tin, 136-138 
Oxidizing flame, 22 
Ozocerite, 201-203 

petroleum, asphalt, peat, 
192-205 

properties of, 203 

P ALLADIUM, 106 
Pearly lustre, 5 
Peat, 205 

petroleum, ozocerite, asphalt, 
192-205 

Pelton wheel, rule applicable to 
the, 235 

Pennsylvania oil strata, 192 
Persia, occurrence of the true tur¬ 
quoise in, 40 
Petroleum, 192-201 

bed-like occurrence of, 197 
color of traces of, 195 
crude, occurrence of, 192 
properties of, 192 
indications of, 193 
occurrence of, in definite 
geological horizons, 196 
outcrop of, 193 
outfit for prospecting for, 192 
ozocerite, asphalt, peat, 192- 
205 

prospecting for, 192 
quality of, 201 
vein-like occurrence of, 199, 
200 

water test for, 194 
Phenacite, 214 
Phosphate of lead, 132 
of lime, 181 

Pilot Knob, Mo., section of, 152, 
153 

Pitt diamond, the, 210 
Platinum, 102-106 

chemical test of, 103, 104 
derivation of the term, 103 
distinction of, 103 
indication of, 63 
minerals associated with, 103 


Platinum, occurrence of, 102 
properties of, 102 
serpentine as a source of, 103 
supply of, 102 
Placer gold, 86 
Plaster of Paris, 188 
Pleonast, 213 
Plumbago, 186, 187 
Pockets, 16 

Porphyritic granite, 15 
Potash feldspar, 16 

crystals, 35 
Potassium cyanide, 20 

extraction of gold 
by, 85, 86 
Precious opal, 217 
Precious stones arid gems. 206-225 
Precipitate, contents of the, in the 
wet method of analysis, 58 
Preparatory instruction, 1-29 
Prism compass, the, 48 
Prospecting, mining, mineralogy, 
geology, etc., glossary of terms 
used in connection with.243-261 
Prospectors’ pointers, 241, 242 
Psilomelane, 179, 180 
Pyrargyrite, 110 
Pyrite, 2 

Pyrites, arsenical, 151 
copper, 120 

detection of native gold in, 74 
iron, 150, 151 
tin, 138 

variegated copper, 122 
Pyrolusite, 179 
Pyromorphite, 132 
Pyropissite, 203 
Pyrrhotite, 170 

QUALITATIVE analysis of ores. 

Quartz, auriferous, rule for ascer¬ 
taining the amount of gold 
in a lump of, 100, 101 
cellular, 88 
rocks, 88 

Quicksilver, 157, 158 

R ealgar, i82 

Red copper ore, 119 
hematite, 147, 148 




272 


INDEX. 


Red oxide of zinc, 144 
silver ore, 110 
Reducing flame, 22 
Regent diamond, the, 210 
Resin opal, 218 
Resinous lustre, 5 
Retinite, 202, 203 
Retort, construction of a, 84, 85 
Rhodium gold, Mexican, 74 
Rhodochrosite, 180 
Rhombohedral form, 34 
Roasting, 23 
Rock, azoic, 8 
crystal, 220 

refraction of, 210 
oil bearing, tracing tlie, 193 
salt, 190 

sedimentary, determination 
of the name of, 8 
testing of, for petroleum, 194 
Rocker, the, 77-79 
Rocks, aqueous, 13 

associated with minerals, ne¬ 
cessity of an acquaintance 
with, 7 

associated with the diamond 
in South Africa, 207, 208 
classification of, 10 
definition of, 10, 11 
formation of, 11 
horizons of, 8 
igneous, 8, 12 
intrusive, 12 
metamor[)hie, 13 

formation of, 90, 91 
specific gravity of, 233-235 
volcanic, 12 
Rubicelle, 213 

Rubies and sapphires, 211, 212 
Ruby copper, 119 

crystallization of the. 39 
oriental, 175 
refraction of, 210 
silver, 110 
true, 174 

OALSES, 19G 

^ Saltiel, E. H., report of, on 
zinc deposits in Colorado, 
145, 146. 

Saltpetre, 190 


Sandstone, 14 

oil-bearing, fresh fracture of, 
194 

Sandstones, examination of, 52 
Sajiphire, 174. 175 

crystallization of the, 39 
streak of, 3 

Sa[)phires and rubies, 211, 212 

Sard, 219 

Sardonyx, 220 

Satin spar, 188 

Scales, 67 

Scorifiers, 65 

Scranton, W. 11., summary b}', 
of indications from the mag¬ 
netic needle in searching for 
iron ore, 153-156 
Sedimentary rock, determination 
of the name of, 8 
Selenite, 188 

Serpentine as a source of plati¬ 
num, 103 
j Shale, 14 
; Siderite, 149 

I Silenium, detection of, in ores, 50 
[ Silicate of copper, 121 
! Silky lustre, 6 
Silver, 106-117 

behavior of, before the blovv- 
I pipe, 106 

I chemical test of, 106, 107 

glance, 108 

in galena, test for, 129, 130 
indication of, 55 

in ores, 50 

native, determination of, 50 
ore, brittle, 109, 110 
flux for, 69 
red, 110 

ores, geology of, 110-117 
testing of, by the dry 
method. 68-70 
princii)al source of, 107 
properties of, 106 
specific gravity of ores asso¬ 
ciated with, 233 
sulphides, 108 
Slate, 191 
Sluices, 80 

Small conchoidal fracture, 2 
Smaltite, 159, 171 




.INDEX. 


273 


Smithsonite, 143 - 
Soapstone, 191 

Soda, dry carbonate of, prepara¬ 
tion of, 20 

feldspar crystals, 35, 36 
Solenhofen, Bavaria, lithographic 
limestone at, 188, 189 
Solid measure, 228 

French, 233 

South Africa, occurrence of the 
diamond in, 207, 208 
Dakota, tin ores of, 138, 
139 

Sparta, New Jersey, zinc mines, 
section of strata near, 144, 145 
Spathic iron ore, 149 
Special mineralogy, 72-191 
Specific gravity, how to find, 
231 

of metals, ores, rocks, 
etc., 233-235 
weights by, 229-231 
Specimens, actual, value of study 
of, 72 

Specular ore^ 147, 148 L 

Sperry lite, 103 
Sphalerite, 144 
Spinel, 213 

twins, 213 
Splintery fracture, 2 
Stannous chloride, preparation of, 
104 

Steatite, 191 
Stephanite, 109, 110 
Stibnite, 178 , 

Stone coal, 184, 185 
Streak, 3 
Stream tin, 137 
Sub-conchoidal fracture, 2 
Sulphate of lead, 132 
Sulphide of mercury, 157 
tin, 138 
zinc, 144 

Sulphides, metallic, to separate 
gold in, 92-98 
silver, 108 
Sulphur, 191 

detection of, in ores, 50 
indication of, 63 
testing for, with the blow¬ 
pipe, 29 


Surface deposits, 16-18 
measure, 228 
French, 232 
Surveying, 41-49 
Sussex Co., N. J., Franklinite in, 
147 

Swampy puddles, examination of, 
for petroleum, 195, 196 
Syenite granite, 15, 91 

T alc, 191 

Technical mineralogy, 1-9 
Tennessee, occurrence of man¬ 
ganese in, 180, 181 
Tetragonal system, 32, 33 

illustrations of, 36 
Tetrahedrite, 120 
Thomas’s Mountains, topaz found 
in, 38 

Tin, 136-142 

and lead, 129-142 
deposits, home of the, 141, 
detection of, 51 
indication of, 64 
ore, assay of, 136 ; 

properties of, ,137 ' 
testing of, by the dry 
method, 70 
oxide of, 136-138 

geological position 
of, 140 

pyrites, 138 

sulphide of, 138 " 

Titanium, detection of, 52 
Toad’s eye tin, 137 
Ton weight, average cubic feet in 
a, 235 

Topaz, 38, 213, 214 
oriental, 175, 211 
Tourmaline, 216, 217 
Trachyte, 12 
Traps, 12 

Triclinic system, 36 
Trinidad, asphalt deposits in, 204 
Troy weight, 228 
Trumbull, Conn., topaz found at, 
38 

Turquois, 37, 218 
Twitty’s mine, Rutherford Co., 
N. C., diamond found in the, 
209 





274 


'INDEX 


U NEVEN fracture, 2 

United States, asphalt in the, 
204 

barytes in the, 184 
borax in the, 184 
diamonds in the, 
208, 209 

gems and precious 
stones in the, 
206-225 

horizons in the, 
which abound in 
the useful min¬ 
erals, 10 

lithographic lime¬ 
stone in the, 189 
ozocerite in, 201 
principal locality 
for sapphire in 
the, 212 

topaz in the, 214 
Ural Mountains, diamonds in the, 
208 

structure of the, 89 
Uranium, detection of, 51, 52 
Utah, asphalt in, 204 
topaz in, 38 

V ARIEGATED copper pyrites, 
122 

Veins, metalliferous, association 
of ore in, 18, 19 
Vermont, manganese in, 181 
Vitreous copper, 119, 120 
lustre, 5 


Volcanic dykes, 12 
rocks, 12 

W AD, 178, 179 

Water, refraction of, 210 
Water-test for petroleum, 194 
Wax opal, 218 
Waxy lustre, 5 
Weight, 228, 229 
French, 233 
Weights, 67 

and measures, 227-233 
by specific gravity, 229-231 
special, 231, 232 

West Virginia, petroleum in, 192 
Wet method of analysis, direc¬ 
tions for the, 53-65 
Whartonite, 161, 162 
Wolframite, 140, 141 
Wood opal, 218 
tin, 137 

Z INC, 143-146 

and iron, 143-156 
blow-pipe tests of, 146 
carbonate, 143 
chief ores of, 143, 144 
detection of, 51 
red oxide of, 144 
silicate, 143, 144 
sulphide of, 144 
Zincite, 144 
Zircon, 214, 215 
form of the, 33 



COLLECTION OF ORES 

REQUIRED FOR 

OSBORN’S 

Prospector’s Fi?Id Book and Giiide. 


GOLD. 

1. Gold in quartz. 

2. Gold ore, pyritiferous. 

SIDVER. 

3. Native silver, wire. 

4. Native silver, in quartz. 

5. Argentite, glance. 

6 . Stephanite, brittle silver. 

7. Cerargyrite, horn silver. 

8 . Pyrargyrite, ruby silver. 

COPPER. 

9. Copper, native. 

10. Cuprite, red oxide. 

11. Chalcocite, copper glance. 

12. Tetrahedrite, ^ray copper. 

13. Chrysocolla, silicate. 

14. Melaconite, black oxide. 

15. Malachite, green carbonate. 

16. Azurite, blue carbonate 

17. Bornite, variegated pyrites. 

LEAD. 

18. Galena, sulphide, cube. 

19. “ (granular, argentif.). 

20. Cerussite, carbonate. 

21. Angles!te, sulphate. 

22. Pyromorphite, phosphate. 

TIN. 

23. Cassiterite, oxide, (cryst.). 

“ “ toad’s eye tin. 

25. “ “ stream tin. 

26. Stannite, sulphide. 

RARE METALS. 

27. Columbite. 

28. Wolframite. 

29. Rutile. 

30. Zircon, tetragonal. 

31. Platinum. 

ZINC. 

32. Smithsonite, carbonate. 

33. Calamine, silicate. 

34. Zincite, oxide. 

35. Sphalerite, sulphide. 

IRON. 

36. Iron, meteoric. 

37. Magnetite, oxide, granular. 

38. “ lodestone. 

39. Franklinite. 

40. Hematite, (cryst.). 

41 . “ specular ore. 

42. Limonite, brown ore. 


43. Siderite, spathic ore. 

44. Chromite, chromic ore. 

45. Pyrite, sulphide, octahedral. 

46. “ massive. 

47. Arsenopyrite, mispickel. 

MERCURY, ETC. 

48. Cinnabar, mercury sulphide. 

49. Bismuth. 

NICKEL AND COBALT. 

50. Smaltite, arsenide. 

51. Niccolite, nickel arsenide. 

52. Millerite, nickel sulphide. 

53. Pyrrhotite, niccoliferous pyrite. 

54. Cobaltite, sulph-arsenide. 

55. Gamierite, nickel silicate. 

56. Asbolite, cobalt oxide. 

ALUMINIUM. 

.57. Corundum, (crystal) oxide. 

58. “ emery, oxide. 

59. Cryolite, fluoride. 

60. Bauxite, hydrate. 

ANTIMONY AND MANGANESE. 

61. Stibnite, antimony sulphide. 

62. Wad, bog manganese. 

63. Pyrolusite, oxide. 

64. Psilomelane, oxide. 

65. Rhodochrosite, carbonate. 

OTHER USEFUL MINERALS. 

66. Apatite, hexagonal. 

67. “ phosphate rock. 

68. Arsenic, native. 

69. Realgar, red arsenic sulphide. 

■TO. Orpiment, yellow arsenic sul¬ 
phide. 

71. Dolomite, rhombohedral. 

72. “ massive. 

73. Orthoclase, feldspar, monoclinic. 

74. “ “ cleavage. 

75. Microcline, triclinic. 

76. Fluorite, cubic. 

77. “ massive. 

78. Quartz, hexagonal. 

79. Calcite, dog-tooth spar. 

80. “ rhombohedral cleavage. 

81. Graphite, plumbago. 

82. Gypsum, plaster. 

83. “ selenite. 

84. Barite, orthorhombic. 

85. Celestite. 

86. Muscovite, mica. 

87. Molybdenite. 

88. Halite, rock salt. 




89. Sulphuf, native. 

90. Borax, monoclinlc. 

91. Alunite, alum stone. 

92. Talc, soapstone, 

93. Petroleum. 

94. Anthracite c al. 

95. Bituniinous coal. 

96. Cannel coal. 

97. Elaterite, elastic bitumen. 

98. Asphaltum, 

99. Ozokerite, 

100. Diamond. 

101. Emerald. 

102. Topaz, orthorhombic. 

10:1. Garnet, dodecahedral. 

104. Opal, precious. 

105. Turquois. 


ROCKS, 

106. Trachyte. 

107. Basalt. 

108. Greenstone. 

109. Obsidian. 

110. Gneiss. 

111. Mica schist. 

112. Granite. 

113. Porphyry. 

114. Syenite. 

115. Sandstone. 

116. Quartzose conglomerate. 

117. Limestone, coarse. 

118. “ ■ lithographic. 

119. Shale. 

120. Chioritic schist. 


This list includes all important minerals mentioned in the text, besides 
illustrating the Scale of Hardness and the six systems of Crystallization. 

In selecting specimens from our large stock, a collection is secured which 
represents, in a brief way, the varieties with which the prospector or miner 
is most likely to meet, and it has, therefore, a thoroughly practical value. 
It is an indisjiensdble aid and guide to users of the book. 

The following sizes are kept in stock ready for shipment. With the neat 
and durable oak compartment cases they can be parried in small space. 
Every specimen is accurately labeled witH name, composition and locality, 
and numbered to correspond to list. 

In ordering, mention third edition of this book. 

$ 16 . 00 . 120 specimens, averaging 2}4x2 in. Handsome oak case, three 
drawers, fitted with pasteboard trays, $6.50 extra. 

$ 11 . 00 . 120 specimens, averaging 2X1% in. Oak compartment cases, $2.40 
extra. 

$ 7 . 00 . 120 specimens, averaging l%xl34 in. (numbered only). Oak com¬ 
partment cases, $1.60 extra. 


A more complete special series of ores is the Metallurgical Collection, 
embracing all important ores of the various metals. 

$ 76.00 . 200 specimens, averaging 2%x2 in. Case, $10.00 extra. 

$ 36 . 00 . 200 specimens, averaging 1%X1% in. Case, $3.20 extra, 

$ 36 . 00 . 100 specimens, averaging 2%X2 in. Case, $6.50 extra. 

$16.00. 100 specimens, averaging 1%X1% in. Case, $1.60 extra. 

Gold Ores. 10 specimens. $10.00. 

Silver Ores. 15 specimens. $7.50. 

Blow-pipe Collection of 70 small specimens in hardwood case. Num¬ 
bered to correspond to list, arranged to include all species recommended by 
Dana, Von Kobell and Brush. $3.50. 

Complete Illustrated Catalogue Free. Gives prices of all collections and of 
single specimens. Also a complete list of all known mineral species, giving 
name, composition and form of each. Postage, S cts. (bound, 8 cts,). 


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DEALER IN MINERALS AND BOOKS. 


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tion, Rendering, Refining, Decomposing, and Bleaching of F'ats and 
Oils. By William T. Brannt. Illustrated. Revised Edition, 
2 vols. 8vo. ........ ^10.00 

BRANNT.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of Soap 
and Candles : 

Based upon the most Recent Experiences in the Practice and Science; 
comprising the Chemistry, Raw Materials, Machinery, and Utensils 
and Various Processes of Manufacture, including a great variety of 
formulas. Edited chiefly from the German of Dr. C. Deite, A. 
Engelhardt, Dr. C. Schaedler and others; with additions and lists 
of American Patents relating to these subjects. By Wm. T. Brannt, 
Illustrated by 163 engravings. 677 pages. 8vo. . . ^7.50 

BRANNT.—A Practical Treatise on the Raw Materials and the 
Distillation and Rectification of Alcohol, and the Prepara¬ 
tion of Alcoholic Liquors, Liqueurs, Cordials, Bitters, etc. ; 
Edited chiefly from the German of Dr, K. Stammer, I )r. F. Ellsner, 
and E. Schubert. By Wm. T. Brannt. Illustrated by thirty-one 
engravings. i 2 mo. ....... 1552.50 



6 HENRV CAREY 13A1RD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


BRANNT—WAHL.—The Techno-Chemical Receipt 3ook\ 

Containing several thousand Receipts covering the latest, most 
portant, and most useful discoveries in Chemical Technology, an( 
their Practical Application in the Arts and the Industries. Editec 
chiefly from the German of Drs. Winckler, Eisner, Heintze, Mier. 
zinski, Jacobsen, Koller, and Heinzerling, with additions by \Vm. 'i. 
Brannt and Wm. H. Wahl, Ph. D. Illustrated by 78 engravings. 
:2?no. 495 pages . , ..... 52 oo 

BROWN.—Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements: 
Embracing all those which are most important in Dynamics, Hy¬ 
draulics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, Steam-Engines, Mill and other 
Gearing, Presses, Horology and Miscellaneous Machinery; and in¬ 
cluding many movements never before published, and several c.f 
which have only recently come into use. By Henry T. Brown 

i2mo. $i.ot. 

BUCKMASTER.—The Elements of Mechanical Physics : 

By J. C. Buckmaster. Illustrated with numerous engravings. 

i2mo.5l-00 

BULLOCK.—The American Cottage Builder : 

A Series of Designs, Plans and Specihcations, from 5200 to $20,000, 
for Homes for the People; together with Warming, Ventilation, 
Drainage, Painting and I^andscape Gardening. By lOHN Bullock, 
Architect and Editor of “The Rudiments of Architecture and 
Building,” etc., etc. Illustrated by 75 engravings. 8vo. $2.50 

BULLOCK.—The Rudiments of Architecture and Building: 
For the use of Architects, Builders, Draughtsmen, Machinists, En¬ 
gineers and Mechanics. Edited by John Bullock, author of “ The 
American Cottage Builder.” Illustrated by 250 Engravings. 8vo.52.50 
BURGH.—Practical Rules for the Proportions of Modem 

Engines and Boilers for Land and Marine Purposes. 

By N. P. Burch, Engineer. i2mo. .... $1.50 

BYLeS. —Sophisms of Free Trade and Popular Political 
Economy Examined. 

By a Barrister (Sir John Barnard Byles, Judge of Common 
Pleas). P'rom the Ninth English Edition, as published by the 
Manchester Reciprocity Association. i2mo. . . . 51.25 

BOWMAN.—The Structure of the Wool Fibre in its Relation 
to the Use of Wool for Technical Purposes: 

Being the substance, with additions, of Five Lectures, deliverea at 
the request of the Council, to the members of the Bradford Technical 
College, and the Society of Dyers and Coloiists. By ¥. II. Bow 
MAN, D. Sc., P. R. S. L., F. L. S. Illustrated by 52 engravin'^s. 

.56.50 

BYRNE.—Hand-Book for the Artisan, Mechanic, and Engi¬ 
neer : 

Comprising the Grinding and Sharpening of Cutting Tools, Abia-.ve 
Processes, Lapidary Work, Gem and Glass Engraving, Varnishing 
and Lackering, Apoaratus, Materials and Processes for Grinding and 



HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


7 


Polishing, etc. By Oliver Byrne. Illustrated by 185 wood en¬ 
gravings. 8vo.^5.00 

BYRNE.—Pocket-Book for Railroad and Civil Engineers : 
Containing New, Exact and Concise Methods for Laying out Railroad 
Curves, Switches, Frog Angles and Crossings; the Staking out of 
work; Levelling; the Calculation of Cuttings; Embankments; Earth¬ 
work, etc. By Oliver Byrne. i8mo., full bound, pocket-book 

form.^1.50 

BYRNE.—Tne Practical Metal-Worker’s Assistant: 

Comprising Metallurgic Chemistry; the Arts of Working all Metals 
and Alloys; Forging of Iron and Steel; Hardening and Tempering; 
Melting and Mixing; Casting and Founding; Works in Sheet Metal; 
the Processes Dependent on the Ductility of the Metals; Soldering; 
and the most Improved Processes and Tools employed by Metal- 
Workers. With the Application of the Art of Electro-Metallurgy to 
Manufacturing Processes; collected from Original Sources, and from 
the works of Holtzapffel, Bergeron, Leupold, Piumier, Napier, 
Scoffern, Clay, Fairbairn and others. By Oliver Byrne. A new, 
revised and improved edition, to which is added an Appendix, con¬ 
taining The Manufacture of Russian Sheet-Iron. By John Percy, 
M. D., F. R. S. The Manufacture of Malleable Iron Castings, and 
Improvements in Bessemer Steel. By A. A. Fesquet, Chemist and 
Engineer. With over Six Hundred Engravings, Illustrating every 

Branch of the Subject. 8vo.^ 5 -O 0 

BYRNE.—The Practical Model Calculator: 

For the Engineer, Mcchan.c, Manufacturer of Engine Work, Naval 
Architect, Nliner and Millwright. By Oliver Byrne. 8vo., nearly 
600 page^ . . . . . . . . . $S OO 

CABINET MAKER’S ALBUM OF FURNITURE; 
Comprising a Collection of Designs for various Styles of Furniture. 
Illustrated by Forty-eight Large and Beautifully Engrat ed Plates, 
Oblong, 8 vo. ........ ^1.50 

CALLINGHAM.—Sign Writing and Glass Embossing: 

A Complete Practical Illustrated Manual of the Art. By James 

Callingham. i2mo.^1.50 

CAMPIN.—A Practical Treatise on Mechanical Engineering: 
Comprising Metallurgy, Moulding, Casting, Forging, Tools, Work, 
shop Machinery, Mechanical Manipulation, Manufacture of Steam- 
Engines, etc. With an Appendix on the Analysis of Iron and Iron 
Ores. By Francis Campin, C. E. To which are added. Observations 
on the Construction of Steam Boilers, and Remarks upon Furnaces 
used for Smoke Prevention ; with a Chapter on Explosions. By R. 
Armstrong, C. E., and John Bourne. Rules for Calculating the 
Change Wheels for Screws on a Turning Lathe, and for a Wheel¬ 
cutting Machine. By J. La Nicca. Management of Steel, Includ- 
>ng P'orging, Hardening, Tempering, Annealing, Shrinking and 
Expansi )n ; and the Case-hardening of Iron. By G. Edf. 8vo. 
Illustrated with twenty-nine plates and 100 wood engravings $ 5-00 





8 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO/S CATALOGUhi. 


CAREY.—A Memoir of Henry C. Carey. 

By Dr. \Vm. Elder. With a portrait. 8vo., cloth , . 75 

CAREY.—The Works of Henry C. Carey: 

Harmony of Interests : Agricultural, Manufacturing and Commen 

cial. 8vo. . . ^1.25 

Manual of Social Science. Condensed from Carey’s “ Principle;? 
of Social Science.” By Kate McKean, i vol. i2mo. . ^2.00 

Miscellaneous Works. With a Portrait. 2 vols. 8vo. Si0.00 

Past, Present and Future. 8vo.$2.50 

Principles of Social Science. 3 volumes, 8vo. . . 

The Slave-Trade, Domestic and Foreign; Why it Exists, and 
How it may be Extinguished (1853). 8vo. . . . $2.00 

The Unity of Law: As Exhibited in the Relations of Physical, 
Social, Mental and Moral Science {1872). 8vo. . . 1^2.50 

CLARK.—Tramways, their Construction and Working: 

Embracing a Comprehensive History of the System. With an ex' 
haustive analysis of the various modes of traction, including horse¬ 
power, steam, heated water and compressed air; a description of the 
varieties of Rolling stock, and ample details of cost and working ex¬ 
penses. By D. Kinnear Clark. Illustrated by over 200 wood 
engravings, and thirteen folding plates. i vol. 8vo. . $9.00 

COLBURN.—The Locomotive Engine : 

Including a Description of its Structure, Rules for Estimating its 
Capabilities, and Practical Observations on its Construction and Man 
agement. By Zerah Colburn. Illustrated. 121110. . ^i.oo 

COLLENS.—The Eden of Labor; or, the Christian Utopia. 

By T. Wharton Collens, author of “ Humanics,” “The History 
of Charity,” etc. 121110. Paper cover, 00; Cloth . $1.25 

COOLEY.—A Complete Practical Treatise on Perfutneiy: 

Being a Hand-book of Perfumes, Cosmetics and other Toilet Articles 
With a Comprehensive Collection of Formulae. By Arnold J 
Cooley. 121110. . . . . . . . . $1.50 

COOPER.—A Treatise on the use of Belting for the Trans 
mission of Power. 

With numerous illustrations of approved and actual methods of ar 
ranging Main Driving and Quarter Twist Belts, and of Belt Fasten 
ings. Examples and Rules in great number for exhibiting and cal 
culating the size and driving power of Belts. Plain, Particular and 
Practical Directions for the Treatment, Care and Manigement o' 
Belts. Descriptions of many varieties of Beltings, together witn 
chapters on the Transmission of Power by Ropes; by Iron and 
Wood Frictional Gearing; on the .Strength of Belting Leather; and 
on the Experimental Investigations of Morin, Briggs, and others. By 

John H. Cooper, M. E. 8vo.^3.50 

CkAIK.—T he Practical American Millwright and Miller. 

By David Craik, Millwright. Illustrated by numerous wood en¬ 
gravings and two folding plates. 8vo. .... 1^3.50 




HENRV CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


9 


CROSS.—The Cotton Yarn Spinner: 

Showing how the Preparation shouki be arranged for Different 
Counts of Yarns by a System more uniform than has hitherto been 
practiced; by having a Standard Schedule from which we make all 
our Changes. By Richard Cross. 122 pp. 121110. . 75 

CRISTIANI.— A Technical Treatise on Soap and Candles: 
With a Glance at the Industry of Fats and Oils. By R. S. Cris- 
TIANI, Chemist. Author of “ Perfumery and Kindred Arts.” Illus¬ 
trated by 176 engravings. 581 pages, 8vo. . . . ^15.00 

COAL AND METAL MINERS’ POCKET BOOK: 

Of Principles, Rules, Formulae, and Tables, Soecially Compiled 
and Prepared for the Convenient Use of Mine Officials, Mining En¬ 
gineers, and Students preparing tliemselves for Certificates of Compe¬ 
tency as Mine Inspectors or Mine Foremen. Revised and Enlarged 
edition. I Illustrated, 565 pages, small i2nio , cloth.' . ^2.00 

Pocket book form, flexible leather with flap . . ^2.75 

DAVIDSON.—A Practical Manual of House Painting, Grain¬ 
ing, Marbling, and Sign-Writing: 

Containing full information on the processes of House Painting in 
Oil and Distemper, the Formation of Letters and Practice of Sign- 
Writing, the Principles of Decorative Art, a Course of Elementary 
Drawing for House Painters, Writers, etc., and a Collection of Useful 
Receipts. With nine colored illustrations of Woods and Marbles, 
and numerous wood engravings. By Ellis A Davidson. i2mo. 

$3(^0 

DAVIES.—A Treatise on Earthy and Other Minerals and 
Mining: 

By D. C. Davies, F. G. S., Mining Engineer, etc. Illustrated by 
76 Engravings. i2mo. . . . . • . . ^5 00 

DAVIES.—A Treatise on Metalliferous Minerals and Mining: 
By D. C. Davies, F. G. S , Mining Engineer, Examiner of Mines, 
Quarries and Collieries. Illustrated by 148 engravings of Geological 
Formations, Mining Operations and Machinery, drawn from the 
practice of all parts of the world. Fifth Edition, thoroughly Revised 
and much Enlarged by his son, E. Henry Davies. i2mo, 524 
pages ....... . • $S-^^ 

DAVIES.—A Treatise on Slate and Slate Quarrying: 

Scientific, Practical and Commercial. By D C. Davies, F. G. S, 
Mining Engineer, etc. With numerous illustrations and folding 
plates. i2mo. ........ $2.00 

DAVIS.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of Brick, 
Tiles and Terra-Cotta: 

Including Stiff Clay, Dry Clay, Hand Made, Pressed or Front, and 
Roadway Paving Brick, Enamelled Brick, with Glazes and Colors, 
b'ire Brick and Blocks, Silica Brick, Carbon Brick, Glass Pots, Re- 






lO 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


torts, Architectural Terra-Cotta, Sewer Pipe, Drain Tile, Glazed and 
Unglazed Roofing Tile, Art Tile, Mosaics, and Imitation of Intarsia 
or Inlaid Surfaces. Comprising every product of Clay employed in 
Architecture, Engineering, and the Blast Furnace. With a Detailed 
Description of tlie Different Clays employed, the Most Modern 
Machinery, Tools, and Kilns used, and the Processes for Plandling, 
Disintegrating, Tempering, and Moulding the Clay into Shape, Dry¬ 
ing, Setting, and Burning. By Charles Thomas Davis. Third Edi¬ 
tion. Revised and in great part rewritten. Illustrated by 261 
engravings. 662 pages ....... ^5 OO 

DAVIS.—A Treatise on Steam-Boiler Incrustation and Meth¬ 
ods for Preventing Corrosion and the Formation of Scale: 
By Charles T. Davis Illustrated by 65 engravings. 8vo. ^1.50 
DAVIS.—The Manufacture of Paper: 

Being a Description of the various Processes for the Fabrication, 
(Coloring and F'inishing of every hind of Paper, Including the Dif¬ 
ferent Raw Materials and the Methods for Determining their Values, 
the Tools, Machines and Practical Details connected with an intelli¬ 
gent and a profitable prosecution of the art, with special reference to 
the best American Practice. To which are added a History of Pa¬ 
per, com[)lete Lists of Paper-Making Materials, List of American 
Machines, Tools and Processes used in treating the Raw Materials, 
and in Making, Coloring and Finishing Paper. By Charles T. 
Davis. Illustrated by 156 engravings. 608 pages, 8vo. $6.00 
DAVIS.—The Manufacture of Leather: 

Being a description of all of tl Processes for the Tanning, Tawing, 
Currying, Finishing and Dyeing of every kind of Leather ; including 
the various Raw Materials and the Methods for Determining their 
Values; the Tools, Machines, and all Details of Importance con¬ 
nected with an Intelligent ami Profitable Prosecution of the Art, with 
Special Reference to the Best American Practice. To which are 
added Complete Lists of all American Patents for Materials, Pro¬ 
cesses, Tools, and Machines for Tanning, Currying, etc, By CiiARi.iis 
Thomas Davis. Illustrated by 302 engravings and 12 Samples o( 
Dyed Leathers. One voL, 8vo., 824 pages . . , I ^5.00 

DAWIDOWSKY—BRANNT.—A Practical Treatise on the 
Raw Materials and Fabrication of Glue, Gelatine, Gelatine 
Veneers and Foils, Isinglass, Cements, Pastes, Mucilages, 
etc.: 

Based upon Actual Experience. By F. Dawidowsky, Technical 
Chemist. Translated from the German, with extensive additions, 
including a descrijHion of the most Recent American Processes, by 
William T. Brannt, Graduate of the Royal Agricultural College 
of Eldena, Prussia. 35 Engravings. l2mo. . . . ^2.50 

DE GRAFF.—The Geometrical Stair-Builders’ Guide: 
being a Blain Practical System of Hand-Railing, embracing all its 
necessary Details, and Geometrically Illustrated by twenty-two Steel 
Engravings; together with the use of the most approved principles 
of Practical Geometry. By Simon De Grae'f, Architect. 41©. 

$2.00 




HENRY CAREY BAIRU & CO.’S CATALOGUE. ii 


DE KONINCK—DIETZ.—A Practical Manual of Chemical 
Analysis and Assaying: 

As applied to the Manufacture of Iron from its Ores, and to Cast Iron* 
Wrought Iron, and Steel, as found in Commerce. By L. L. De 
Roninck, Dr. Sc., and E. Dietz, Engineer. Edited with Notes, by 
Robert Mallet, F. R. S., F. S. G., M. I. C. E., etc. American 
Edition, Edited with Notes and an Appendix on Iron Ores, by A. A, 
Fesquet, Chemist and Engineer. 121110. . . . ^^1.50 

DUNCAN.—Practical Surveyor’s Guide: 

Containing the necessary information to make any person of com* 
mon capacity, a finished land surveyor without the aid of a teacher 
By Andrew DtiNt'AN. Revised. 72 engravings, 214pp. i2mo. ^1.50 
DUPLAIS.—A Treatise on the Manufacture and Distillation 
of Alcoholic Liquors: 

Comprising Accurate and Complete Details in Regard to Alcohol 
from Wine, Molas'^es, Beet'^, Grain, Rice, Potatoes, Sorghum, Aspho 
del, Fiuits, etc.; with the Di tillation and Rectification of Brandy 
Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Swiss Absinthe, etc., the Preparation of Aro¬ 
matic Waters, Volatile Oils or Essences, Sugars, Syrups, Aromatic 
Tinctures, Liqueurs, Cordial Wines, Effervescing Wines, etc., the 
Ageing of Brandy and the improvement of Spirits, with Copious 
Directions and Tables for Testing and Reducing Spirituous Liquors, 
etc., etc. Translated and Edited from the French of MM. Duplais, 
Aine et Jeune. By M. McKennie, M. D. To which are added the 
United .Slates Internal Revenue Regulations for the Assessment and 
Collection of Taxes on Distilled .Spirits. Illustrated by fourteen 
folding plates and several wood engravings. 743 pp. 8vo. ^10 00 
DUSSAUCE.—Practical Treatise on the Fabrication of Matches, 
Gun Cotton, and Fulminating Powder. 

By Profe-sor H. Dussauce. 121110. .... 

DYER AND COLOR-MAKER’S COMPANION: 

Containing upwards of two hundred Receipts for making Colors, on 
the most approved principles, for all the various styles and fabrics now 
in existence; with the Scouring Process, and pl.iin Directions for 
Preparing, Washing-off, and F'inishing the Goods. 121110. ^i.oo 
EDWARDS.—A Catechism of the Marine Steam-Engine, 

For the use of Engineers. Firemen, and Mechanics. A Practical 
Work for Practical Men. By Emory Edwards, Mechanical Engi 
neer. Illustrated by sixty three Engravings, including exanipks of 
the most modern Engines. Third edition, thoroughly revised, with 
much additional matter. 12 mo. 414 pages . . . ^200 

EDWARDS.—Modern American Locomotive Engines, 

Their Design, Construction and Management. By Emory Edwards. 
Illustrated ...^2.00 

EDWARDS.—The American Steam Engineer: 

Theoretical and Practical, with examples of the latest and most ap¬ 
proved American practice in the design and construction of Steam 
Engines and Boilers. P'or the use of engineers, machinists, boiler- 
rnakers, and engineering students. By Emory Edwards. Fully 
Uiustrated, 419 pages. 121110. .... $2.50 







12 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO/S CATALOGUE. 


EDWARDS.—Modern American Marine Engines, Boilers, ani 
Screw Propellers, 

Their Design and Construction. Showing the Present Practice ot 
the most Eminent Engineers and Marine Engine Builders in the 
United States. Illustrated by 30 large and elaborate plates, 4to. $5.00 
EDWARDS.—The Practical Steam Engineer’s Guide 

In the Design, Construction, and Management of American Stationary, 
Portable, and Steam Fire-Engines, Steam Pumps, Boilers. Injector*^ 
Governors, Indicators, Pistons and Rings, Safety Valves and Steam 
Gauges. For the use of Engineers, Firemen, and Steam Users. B> 
Emory Edwards. Illustrated by 119 engravings. a 20 pages. 
i2mo. .......... ^2 50 

EISSLER.—The Metallurgy of Gold : 

A Practical Treatise on the Metallurgical Treatment of Gold-Bear* 
ing Ores, including the Processes of Concentration and Chlorination, 
and the Assaying, Melting, and Refining of Gold. By M. Eissler. 
With 132 Illustrations, i2mo, ..... ^5.00 

EISSLER.—The Metallurgy of Silver : 

A Practical Treatise on the Amalgamation, Roasting, and Lixiviation 
of Silver Ores, including the Assaying, Melting, and Refining of 
Silver Bullion. By M. Eissler. 124 Illustrations. 336 pp. 
i2mo. .......... $4-25 

ELDER.—Conversations on the Principal Subjects of Political 
Economy. 

By Dr. William Elder. 8vo .^2 50 

ELDER.—Questions of the Day, 

Economic and Social. By Dr. William Elder. 8vo. . ^3.00 

GRNI.—Mineralogy Simplified. 

Easy Methods of Determining and Classifying Minerals, including 
Ores, by means of the Blow] ipe, and by Humid Chemical Analysis, 
based on Professor von Kobell’s Tables for the Determinatioti of 
Minerals, with an Introduction to Modern Chemistry. By Henry 
Erni, A.M., M.D., Professor of Chemistry. Second Edition, rewritten, 
enlarged and improved. l2mo. ..... 
FAIRBAIRN.—The Principles of Mechanism and Machinery 
of Transmission * 

Comprising the Principles of Mechanism, Wheels, and Pullevs, 
Strength and Proportions of Shafts, Coupling of Shafts, and Engag 
ing and Disengaging Gear. By SiR William Eairbairn, Bait 
C. E. Beautifully illustrated by over 150 wood-cuts. In one 
volume, i2mo ......... $2.00 

FLEMING.—Narrow Gauge Railways in America. 

A Sketch of their Rise, Progress, and Success. Valuable Statistics 
as to Grades, Curves, Weight of Rad, Locomotives, Cars, etc. By 

Howard Fleming. Illustrated, 8vo.00 

FORSYTH,— Book of Designs for Headstones, Mural, and 
other Monuments; 

Containing 78 Designs. By James Forsyth. With an Introduction 
Ijy Charles Boutell, M. A. 4 to., cloth . . i^3-5o 






Hjd:NRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


^3 


FRANKEL—HUTTER.—A Practical Treatise on the Manu* 
facture of Starch, Glucose, Starch-Sugar, and Dextrine: 
Based on the German of LadislaUs Von Wagner, Professor in the 
Royal Technical High School, Buda Pest, Hungary, and other 
authorities. By Julius Frankel, Graduate of the Polytechnic 
School of Hanover, Edited by Robert Hotter, Chemist, Practical 
Manufacturer of Starch-Sugar. Illustrated by 58 engravings, cover¬ 
ing every branch of the subject, including examples of the most 
Recent and Best American Machinery. 8vo., 344 pp. . $3 50 

GARDNER.—The Painter’s Encyclopaedia: 

Containing Definitions of all Important Words in the Art of Plain 
and Artistic Painting, with Details of Practice in Coach, Carriage, 
Railway Car, House, Sign, and Ornamental Painting, including 
Graining, Marbling, Staining, Varnishing, Polishing, Lettering, 
Stenciling, Gilding, Bronzing, etc. By Franklin B. Gardner. 

158 Illustrations. i2mo. 427 pp.$2.00 

GARDNER.—Everybody’s Paint Book: 

A Complete Guide to the Art of Outdoor and Indoor Painting, De¬ 
signed for the Special Use of those who wish to do their own work, 
and consisting of Practical Lessons in Plain Painting, Varnishing, 
Polishing, Staining, Paoer Hanging, Kalsomining, etc., as well as 
Directions for Renovating Furniture, and Hints on Artistic Work for 
Home Decoration. 38 Illustrations. i2mo., 183 pp. . ^i.oo 
GEE.—The Goldsmith’s Handbook: 

Containing full instructions for the Alloying and Working of Gold, 
including the Art of Alloying, Melting, Reducing, Coloring, Col 
lecting, and Refining; the Processes of Manipulation, Recovery of 
Waste; Chemical and Physical Properties of Gold; with a New 
System of Mixing its Alloys; Solders, Enamels, and other Useful 
Rules and Recipes. By George E. Gee. i2mo. . . ^i.7S 

GEE.—The Silversmith’s Handbook : 

Containing full instructions for the Alloying and Working of Silver, 
including the different modes of Refining and Melting the Metal; its 
Solders; the Preparation of Imitation Alloys; Methods of Manijxila- 
tion ; Prevention of Waste ; Instructions for Improving and Finishing 
the Surface of the Work ; together with other Useful Information and 
Memoranda. By George E. Gee. Illustrated. i2mo. $ 1-75 
GOTHIC ALBUM FOR CABINET-MAKERS: 

Designs for Gothic Furniture. Twenty-three plates. Oblong 
GRANT.—A Handbook on the Teeth of Gears : 

Their Curves, Properties, and Practical Construction. By George 
B. Grant. Illustrated. Third Edition, enlarged. 8vo. $\ 00 

GREENWOOD.—Steel and Iron: 

Comprising the Practice and Theory of the Several Methods Pur¬ 
sued in their Manufacture, and of their Treatment in the Rolling- 
Mills, the Forge, and the Foundry. By William Henry Green¬ 
wood, F. C. S. With 97 Diagrams, 536 pages. i2mo. $2.00 




14 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


GREGORY.—Mathematics for Practical Men : 

Adapted to the Pursuits of Surveyors, Architects, Mechanics, and 
Civil Engineers. By Olinthus Gregory. 8vo., plates $3.oa 
GRISWOLD.—Railroad Engineer’s Pocket Companion for th( 
Field: 

Comprising Rules for Calculating Deflection Distances and Angles, 
Tangential Distances and Angles, and all Necess.try T..bles for En 
gineers; also the Art of Levelling from Preliminary Survey to the 
Construction of Railroads, intended Expressly for the Young En¬ 
gineer, together with Numerous Valuable Rules and hixamples. By 

W. Griswold. i2mo., tucks. 

GRUNER.—Studies of Blast Furnace Phenomena: 

By M. L. Gruner, President of the General Council of Mines oi 
France, and lately Professor of Metallurgy at the Ecole des Mines. 
I'ranslated, with the author’s sanction, with an i-vppendix, by L. D 
B. Gordon, F. R. S. E., F. G. S. 8 vo. . . . ^2.50 

Hand-Book of Useful Tables for the Lumberman, Farmei and 
Mechanic: 

Containing Accurate Tables of Logs Reduced to Inch Board Meas. 
ure. Plank, Scantling and Timber Measure; Wages and Rent, by 
Week or Month; Capacity of Granaries, Bins and Cisterns; Land 
Measure, Interest Tables, with'Directions for Finding the Interest on 
any sum at 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 per cent., and many other Useful Tables. 
32 mo., boards. 186 pages ...... .25 

IIASERICK.—The Secrets of the Art of Dyeing Wool, Cottoa 
and Linen, 

Including Bleaching and Coloring Wool and Cotton Hosiery and 
Random Yarns. A Treatise based on Economy and Practice. By 
E. C. Haserick. lilusirated by 323 Dyed Patterns of the Yarni 
or Fabrics. 8vo. ........ ^7-50 

HATS AND FELTING: 

A Practical Treatise on their Manufacture. By a Practical Hatter. 
Illustrated by Drawings of Machinery, etc. 8vo. . . $1.25 

HOFP'ER.—A Practical Treatise on Caoutchouc and Gutta 
Percha, 

Comprising the Properties of the Raw Materials, and the manner of 
Mixing and Working them; with the Fabrication of Vulcanized and 
Hard Rubbers, Caoutchouc And Gutta Percha Compositions, Water¬ 
proof Substances, Elastic Tissues, the Utilization of Waste, etc., eie, 
P'rom the German of Raimund Hoffer. By W. T. BraiVnt. 

Illustrated i2mo. . ... $2.^c 

HAUPT.—Street Railway Motors: 

With Descriptions and Cost of Plants and Operation of the Various 
Systems now in Use. i2mo, , . . . . ^ 1-75 







HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO/S CATALOGUE. 




HAUPT—RHAWN.—A Move for Better Roads: 

Essays on Road-making and Maintenance and Road I.aws, for 
which Prizes or Honorable Mention were Awarded through the 
University of Pennsylvania by a Committee of Citizens of Philadel¬ 
phia, with a Synopsis of other Contributions and a Review by the 
Secretary, I.EWis M. Haupt, A. M., C. E. ; also an Introduction by 
William H. Rhawx. Chairman of the Committee. 319 pages. 

8vo..^2.00 

HUGHES.—Annerican Miller and Millwright’s Assistant: 

By William Carter Hughes, izmo.^1.50 

HULME.—Worked Examination Questions in Plane Gecmet • 
rical Drawing : 

For the Use of Candidates for the Royal Military Academy, Wool¬ 
wich; the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; the Indian Civil En-• 
gineering College, Cooper’s Hill ; Indian Ihildic Works and Tele¬ 
graph Departments; Royal Marine Li^ht Infantry; the Oxford and 
Cambridge Local Examinations, etc. By F. Edward Hulme, F. L. 
S., F. S. A., Art-Master Marlborough College. Illustrated by 300 
examples. Small quartc » ^2.50 

JERVIS, —Railroad Property: 

A Treatise on the Construction and Management of Railways; 
designed to afford useful knowledge, in the popular style, to the 
holders of this class of property ; as well as Railway Managers, Offi 
cers, and Agents. By John B. Jervis, late Civil Engineer of the 
Hudson River Railroad, Croton Aqueduct, etc. i2mo., cloth $2.oc 
KEENE.—A Hand-Book of Practical Gauging: 

For the Use of Beginners, to which is added a Chapter on Distilla 
tion, describing the process in operation at the Custom-House foi 
ascertaining the Strength of Wines, By James B. Keene, of H. M. 
Customs. 8vo. . . . . . . • . ^ 00 

KELLEY.— Speeches, Addresses, and Letters on Industrial and 
Financial Questions : 

By Hon. William D. Kelley, M. C. 544 pages, 8vo. . l?2.5c; 

KELLOGG.—A New Monetary System : 

The only means of Securing the respective Rights of Labor and 
Property, and of Protecting the Public from Financial Revulsions. 
By Edward Kellogg. Revised from his work on “Labor and 
other Capital.” With numerous additions from his manuscript 
Edited by Mary Kellogg Putnam. Fifth edition. To which F 
added a Biographical Sketch of the Author. One volume, i2mo. 
Paper cover . . . . . • • • • 

Bound in cloth. ^•‘^S 

KEMLO.— Watch-Repairer’s Hand-Book: 

Beincr a Complete Guide to the Young Beginner, in Taking Apart, 
Putting Together, and Thoroughly Cleaning the English Lever and 
other Foreign Watches, and all American Watches. By F. Kemlo. 
Practical Watchmaker. With Illustrations. i2mo. . $1.25 




i6 


HENRY CARtY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


KENTISH.—A Treatise on a Box of Instruments, 

And the Slide Rule; with the Theory of Trigonometry and Logs 
rithms, including Practical Geometry, Surveying, Measuring of Tim 
her, Cask and Malt Gauging, Heights, and Distances. By Thoma* 
Kentish. In one volume. i2mo. .... $1.00 

KERL.—The Assayer’s Manual: 

An Abridged Treatise on the Docimastic Examination of Ores, and 
Furnace and other Artiticial Products. By Bruno Kerl, Professor 
in the Royal School of Mines, Translated from the German by 
William T. Brannt. Second American edition, edited with Ex¬ 
tensive Additions by F. Lynwood Garrison, Member of the 
American Institute of Mining Engineers, etc. Illustrated by 87 en¬ 
gravings. 8vo. $3^0C 

KICK.—Flour Manufacture. 

A Treatise on Milling Science and Practice, By Frederick Kick 
I mperial Regierungsrath, Professor of Mechanical Technology in the 
x^mperial German Polytechnic Institute, Prague. Translated from 
the second enlarged and revised edition with supplement by H, H. 
P. PoWLES, Assoc. Memb. Institution of Civil Engineers. Illustrated 
with 28 Plates, and 167 Wood-cuts. 367 pages. 8vo. . i^io.oo 
KINGZETT.—The History, Products, and Processes of the 
Alkali Trade : 

Including the most Recent Improvements. By Charles Thom.asi 
KINGZETT, Consulting Chemist. With 23 illustrations. Svo. $2.30 
KIRK.—The Founding of Metals: 

A Practical Treatise on the Melting of Iron, with a Devcription of the 
Founding of Alloys; also, of all the Metals and Mineral Substancet 
used in the Art of Founding. Collected from original sources. B) 
Edward Kirk, Practical Foundryman and Chemi>t. lllustratei 
Third edition. 8vo. ....... $2.$6 

LANDKIN.—A Treatise on Steel: 

Comprising its Theory, Metallurgy, Properties, Practical Working, 
and Use. By M. H. C. Landrin, Jr., Civil Engineer. Translated 
from the French, with Notes, by A. A. Fesquet, Chemist and En 
gineer. With an Appendix on the Bessemer and the Martin Pro- 
"f'jses for Manufacturing Steel, from the Report of Abram S. Hewitt 
United States Commissioner to the Universal Exposition, Paris, 1867. 

i2mo.^3.00 

LANGBEIN.—A Complete Treatise on the Electro-Deposition 
of Metals: 

Translated from the German, with Additions, by Wm. T. Brannt. 
125 illustrations. 8vo. ....... ;554.oo 

LARDNER.—The Steam-Engine: 

For the Use of Beginners. Illustrated. i2mo. • . • 75 

?-EHNER.—The Manufacture of Ink: 

Comprising the Raw Materials, and the Preparation of Writing, 
Copying and Hektograph Inks, Safety Inks, Ink Extracts and Pow¬ 
ders, etc. Translated from the German of SiGMUND Lehner, with 
additions by William T’. Brannt. Illustrated. 12-mo. $2.00 





HEJSRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


17 


LARKIN.—The Pracucai Brass and Iron Founder’s Guide: 

A Concise Treatise on Brass Founding, Moulding, the Metals and 
their Alloys, etc.; to which are added Recent Improvements in the 
Manufacture of Iron, Steel by the Bessemer Process, etc., etc. By 
Tames Larkin, late Conductor of the Brass Foundry Department in 
keany, Neafie & Co.’s Penn Works, Philadelphia. New edition, 
revised, with extensive additions. i2mo. . . . ^2.50 

LEROUX.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of 
Worsteds and Carded Yarns : 

Ccrmprising Practical Mechanics, with Rules and Calculations applied 
to Spinning; Sorting, Cleaning, and Scouring Wools; the English 
and French Methods of Combing, Drawing, and Spinning Worsteds, 
and Manufacturing Carded Yarns. Translated from the French of 
Charles Leroux, Mechanical Engineer and Superintendent of a 
Spinning-Mill, by Horatio Paine, M. D., and A. A. Fesquet, 
Chemist and Engineer. Illustrated by twelve large Plates. To which 
is added an Appendix, containing Extracts from the Reports of the 
International Jury, and of the Artisans selected by the Committee 
appointed by the Council of the Society of Arts, London, on Woolen 
and Worsted Machinery and Fabrics, as exhibited in the Paris Uni* 

versa! Exposition, 1867. 8vo. .^^5.00 

LEFFEL.—The Construction of Mill-Dams : 

Comprising also the Building of Race and Reservoir Embankments* 
and Head-Gates, the Measurement of Streams, Gauging of Water 
Supply, etc. By James Leffel & Co. Illustrated by 58 engravings. 

8vo.. $2.50 

LESLIE.—Complete Cookery: 

Directions for Cookery in its Various Branches. By Miss Leslie. 
Sixtieth thousand. Thoroughly revised, with the addition of New 

Receipts. .. 

LE VAN.—The Steam Engine and the Indicator: 

Their Origin and Progressive Development; including the Most 
Recent Examples of Steam and Gas Motors, together with the Indi¬ 
cator, its Principles, its Utility, and its Application. By William 
Barnet Le Van. Illustrated by 205 Engravings, chiefly of Indi¬ 
cator-Cards. 469 pp. 8vo. $4.oo> 

LIEBER.—Assayer’s Guide ; 

Or, Practical Directions to Assayers, Miners, and Smelters, for the 
Tests and Assays, by Heat and by Wet Processes, for the Ores of all 
the principal Metals, of Gold and Silver Coins and Alloys, and of 
Coal, etc. By Oscar M. Lieber. Revised. 283 pp. i2mo. $1.50 
I^ockwood’s Dictionary of Terms : 

Used in the Practice of Mechanical Engineering, embracing those 
Current in the Drawing Office, Pattern Shop, Foundry, Fitting, Turn-^ 
Incr, Smith’s and Boiler Shops, etc., etc., comprising upwards of Six- 
Thousand Definitions. Edited by a Foreman Pattern Maker, author 
of “ Pattern Making.” 417 PP- * 2 mo. - . . $i’00 





i8 


HEIIRV CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


LUKIN.—Amongst Machines: 

Embracing Descriptions of the various Mechanical Appliances used 
in the Manufacture of Wood, Metai, and other Substances. J2mo. 

LUKIN.—The Boy Engineers: 

What They Did, and Mow They Did It. With 30 plates. fSmo, 

^ 1-75 

LUKIN.—The Young Mechanic : 

Practical Carpentry. Containing Directions for the Use of all kinds 
of Tools, and for Construction of Steam-Engines and Mechanical 
Models, including the Art of Turning in Wood and Metal. By John 
Lukin, Author of “The Lathe and Its Uses,” etc. Illustrated. 

l2mo. $1-75 

MAIN and BROWN.—Questions on Subjects Connected with 
the Marine Steam-Engine; 

And Examination Papers; with Hints for their Solution. B}' 
Thomas J, Main, Professor of Mathematics, Royal "^aval College, 
and Thomas Brown, Chief Engineer, R. N. i2mo., cloth . $1.00 

MAIN and BROWN.—The Indicator and Dynamometer: 

With their Practical Applications to the Steam-Engine. By Thomas 
J. Main, M. A. F. R., Ass’t S. Professor Royal Naval College, 
Portsmouth, and Thomas Brown, Assoc. Inst. C. E., Chief Engineei 
R. N., attached to the R. N. College. Illustrated. 8vo. . ^i.oo 
MAIN and BROWN.—The Marine Steam-Engine. 

By Thomas J. Main, F. R. Ass’t S. Mathematical Professor at the 
Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, and Thomas Brown, Assoc. 
Inst. C. E., Chief Engineer R. N. Attached to the Royal Naval 
College. With numerous illustrations. 8vo. 

MAKINS.—A Manual of Metallurgy: 

By George Hogarth Makins. ioo engravings. Second edition 
rewritten and much enlarged. i2mo., 592 pages . . ^3 00 

MARTIN.—Screw-Cutting Tables, for the Use of Mechanical 
Engineers : 

Showing the Proper Arrangement of Wheels for Cutting the Threads 
of Screws of any Required Pitch; with a Table for Making the Uni¬ 
versal Gas-Pipe Thread and Taps. By W. A. Martin, Engineer. 

8vo. 5e 

MICHBLL.—Mine Drainage: 

Being a Complete and Practical Treatise on Direct-Acting Under¬ 
ground Steam Pumping Machinery. With a Description of a large 
number of the best known Engines, their General Utility and the 
Special Sphere of their Action, the Mode of their Application, and 
their Merits compared with other Pumping Machinery. By Stephen 
Michele. Illustrated by 137 engravings. 8vo., 277 pages . $6.00 

MOLESWORTH.—Pocket-Book of Useful Formulae and 
Memoranda for Civil and Mechanical Engineers. 

By Guilford L. Molesworth, Member of the Institution of Civil 
Engineers, Chief Resident Engineer of the Ceylon Railway. Full- 
bound in Pocket-book form ;Sl-oo 





HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


19 


MOORE.—The Universal Assistant and the Complete Me 
chanic: 

Containing over one million Industrial Facts, Calculations, Receipts, 
Processes, Trades Secrets, Rules, Business Forms, Legal Items, Etc., 
in every occupation, from the Household to the Manufactory. By 
' R. Moore. Illustrated by 500 Engravings. i2mo. . ^2.50 

MORRIS.—Easy Rules for the Measurement of Earthworks : 
By means of the Prismoidal Formula. Illustrated with Numerous 
Wood-Cuts, Problems, and Examples, and concluded by an Exten. 
sive Table for finding the Solidity in cubic yards from Mean Areas. 
The whole being adapted for convenient use by Engineers, Surveyors, 
Contractors, and others needing Correct Measurements of Earthwork. 

By Elwood Morris, C. E. 8vo. | 5 i. 5 a 

MAUCHLINE.—The Mine Foreman’s Hand-Book 

Of Practical and Theoretical Information on the Opening, Venti¬ 
lating, and Working of Collieries. Questions and Answers on Prac¬ 
tical and Theoretical Coal Mining. Designed to Assist Students and 
Others in Passing Examinations for Mine Foremanships. By 
Robert Mauchline, Ex-Inspector of Mines. A New, Revised and 
Enlarged Edition. Illustrated by 114 engravings. 8vo. 337 
pages .......... ^ 3-75 

NAPIER.—A System of Chemistry Applied to Dyeing. 

By James Napier, F. C. S. A New and Thoroughly Revised Edi¬ 
tion. Completely brought up to the present state of the Science, 
including the Chemistry of Coal Tar Colors, by A. A. Fesquet, 
Chemist and Engineer. With an Appendix on Dyeing and Calico 
Printing, as shown at the Universal Exposition, Paris, 1867. Illus¬ 
trated. 8vo. 422 pages ....... ^ 3*00 

NEVILLE.—Hydraulic Tables, Coefficients, and Formulte, foi 
finding the Discharge of Water from Orifices, Notches, 
Weirs, Pipes, and Rivers; 

Third Edition, with Additions, consisting of New Formulae for the 
Discharge from Tidal and Flood Sluices and Siphons; general infor¬ 
mation on Rainfall, Catchment-Basins, Drainage, Sewerage, Wate/ 
Supply for Towns and Mill Power. By Iohn Neville, C. E. M R 
I. A.; Fellow of the Royal Geological Society of Ireland. Thick 

.. $ 5 - 5 ^ 

NEWBERY.— Gleanings from Ornamental Art of every 
style: 

Drawn from Examples in the British, South Kensington, Indian, 
Crystal Palace, and other Museums, the Exhibitions of 1851 and 
1862, and the best English and Foreign works. In a series of loo 
exquisitely drawn Plates, containing many hundred examples. By 

Robert Newbery. 4to..^^12.50 

NICHOLLS.— The Theoretical and Practical Boiler-Maker and 
Engineer’s Reference Book: 

Containing a variety of Useful Information for Employers of Labor 
Foremen and Working Boiler-Makers. Iron, Copper, and Tinsmiths 




20 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


Draughtsmen, Engineers, the General Steam-using Public, and for the 
Use of Science Schools and Classes. By Samuel Nicholls. Ulus* 

trated by sixteen plates, i2mo..1^2.50 

NICHOLSON.—A Manual of the Art of Bookbinding: 
Containing full instructions in the different Branches of Forwarding, 
Gilding, and h'inishing. Also, the Art of Marbling Book-edges and 
Paper. By James B. Nicholson. Illustrated. i2ino,, cloth $2,25 
NICOLLS.—The Railway Builder; 

A Hand-Book for Estimating the Probable Cost of American Rail¬ 
way Construction and Equipment. By WiLLiAM J. NiCOLLS, Civil 
Engineer. Illustrated, full bound, pocket-book form . $2.00 

NORMANDY.—The Commercial Handbook of Chemical An¬ 
alysis ; 

Or Practical Instructions for the Determination of the Intrinsic 01 
Commercial Value of Substances used in Manufactures, in Trades, 
and in the Arts. By A. Normandy. New Edition, Enlarged, and 
Co a great extent rewritten. By Henry M. Noad, Ph.D., F.R.S., 

thick i2mo. 

NORRIS.—A Handbook fcr Locomotive Engineers and Ma¬ 
chinists: 

Comprising the Proportions and Calculations for Constructing Loco¬ 
motives; Manner of Setting Valves; Tables of Squares, Cubes, Areas, 
etc., etc. By Septimus Norris, M. E. New edition. Illustrated, 

12mo.$1.50 

NYSTROM.—A New Treatise on Elements of Mechanics : 
Establishing Strict Precision in the Meaning of Dynamical Terms; 
accompanied with an Appendix on Duodenal Arithmetic and Me 
trology. By John W. Nystrom, C. E. Illustrated. 8vo. $2.00 
NYSTROM.—On Technological Education and the Construc¬ 
tion of Ships and Screw Propellers; 

For Naval and Marine Engineers. By John W. Nystrom, late 
Acting Chief Engineer, U. S. N. Second edition, revised, with addi¬ 
tional matter. Illustrated by seven engravings. i2mo. . $1.25 

O’NEILL.—A Dictionary of Dyeing and Calico Printing: 
Containing a brief account of all the Substances and Processes in 
use in the Art of Dyeing and Printing Textile Fabrics ; with Practical 
Receipts and Scientific Information. By Charles O’Neill, Analy¬ 
tical Chemist. To which is added an Essay on Coal Tar Colors and 
their application to Dyeing and Calico Printing. By A. A. Fesquet, 
Chemist and Engineer. With an appendix on Dyeing and Calico 
Printing, as shown at the Universal Exposition, Paris, 1867- 8vo. 

491 pages.00 

ORTON.—Underground Treasures*. 

How and Where to Find Them. A Key for the Ready Determination 
of all the Useful Minerals within the United States. By James 
Orton, A.M., Late Professor of Natural History in Vassar College, 
N. Y.; Cor. Mem. of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia’, 
and of the Lyceum of Natural History, New York; author of the 
“Andes and the Amazon.” etc. A New Edition, with Additions 
Illustrated . . 







HENRY CAREY BArRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


21 


OSBORN.—The Prospector’s Field Book and Guide: 

In the Search for and the Easy Determination of Ores and Other 
Useful Minerals. By Prof, H, S. Osborn, LL. D., Author of 
“ The Metallurgy of Iron and Steel; ” “A Practical Manual of 
Minerals, Mines, and Mining,” Illustrated by 44 Engravings. 

l2mo.^1.50 

OSBORN.—A Practical Manual of Minerals, Mines and Min' 
ing: 

Comprising the Physical Properties, Geologic Positions, Local Occur¬ 
rence and Associations of the Useful Minerals; their Methods of 
Chemical Analysis and Assay: together with Various Systems of 
Excavating and Timbering, Brick and Masonry Work, during Driv¬ 
ing, Lining, Bracing and other Operations, etc. By Prof. M. S. 
Osborn, LL. D., Author of the “ Metallurgy of Iron and Steel.” 
Illustrated by 171 engravings from original drawings. 8vo. 
OVERMAN.—The Manufacture of Steel: 

Containing the Practice and Principles of Working and Making Steel. 
A Handbook for Blacksmiths and Workers in Steel and Iron, Wagon 
Makers, Die Sinkers, Cutlers, and Manufacturers of Files and Hard¬ 
ware, of Steel and Iron, and for Men of Science and Art. By 
Frederick Overman, Mining Engineer, Author of the “ Manu¬ 
facture of Inon,” etc. A new, enlarged, and revised Edition, By 
A. A. FesqI/£T, Chemist and Engineer. i2mo. . . ^1.50 

OVERMAN.—The Moulder’s and Founder’s Pocket Guide : 

A Treatise on Moulding and P'ounding in Green-sand, Dry sand. Loam, 
and Cement; the Moulding of Macliine Frames, Mill-gear, Hollow- 
ware, Ornaments, Trinkets, Bells, and Statues; Description of Moulds 
for Iron, Bronze, Brass, and other Metals; Plaster of Paris, Sulphur, 
Wax, etc.; the Construction of Melting Furnaces, the Melting and 
Founding of Metals ; the Composition of Alloys and their Nature, 
etc., etc. By Frederick Overman, M. E. A new Edition, to 
which is added a Supplement on Statuary and Ornamental Moulding, 
Ordnance, Malleable Iron Castings, etc. By A. A. Fesquet, Chem¬ 
ist and Engineer. Illustrated by 44 engravings. l2mo. . ^2.00 

PAINTER, GILDER, AND VARNISHER’S COMPANION. 
Containing Rules and Regulations in everything relating to the Ari} 
of Painting, Gilding, Varnishing, Glass-Staining, Graining, Marbling, 
Sign-Writing, Gilding on Glass, and Coach Painting and Varnishing; 
Tests for the Deteciion of Adulterations in Oils, Colors, etc.; and a 
Statement of the Diseases to which Painters are peculiarly liable, with 
the Simplest and Be.st Remedies. Sixteenth Edition. Revised, with 
an Appendix. Containing Colors and Coloring—Theoretical and 
Practical. Comprising descriptions of a great variety of Additional 
Pigments, their Qualities and Uses, to which are added. Dryers, and 
Modes and Operations of Painting, etc. Together with ChevreuP? 
Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Colors. i2mo. Cloth ;^I.5C! 
iPALLETT. — The Miller’s, Millwright’s, and Engineer’s Guide. 
By Henrv Pallett. Illustrated. i2mo. . . - ;^2.oo 




22 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


PERCY.—The Manufacture of Russian Sheet-Iron. 

By John Percy, M. D., F. R. S., Lecturer on Metallurgy at the 
Royal School of Mines, and to The Advance Class of Artillery 
Officers at the Royal Artillery Institution, Woolwich; Author of 
“ Metallurgy.” With Illustrations. 8vo., paper . . 25 cts. 

PERKINS.—Gas and Ventilation : 

Practical Treatise on Gas and Ventilation. With Special Relation 
to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking by Gas. Including Scientific 
Helps to Engineer-students and others. With Illustrated Diagrams, 

By E. E. Perkins. i2mo., cloth.^1.25 

PERKINS AND STOWE.—A New Guide to the Sheet-iron 
and Boiler Plate Roller : 

Containing a Series of Tables showing the Weight of Slabs and Piles 
to Produce Boiler Plates, and of the Weight of Piles and the Sizes of 
Bars to produce Sheet-iron; the Thickness of the Bar Gauge 
in decimals; the Weight per foot, and the Thickness on the Bar or 
Wire Gauge of the fractional parts of an inch; the Weight per 
sheet, and the Thickness on the Wire Gauge of Sheet-iron of various 
dimensions to weigh 112 lbs. per bundle; and the conversion of 
Short Weight into Long Weight, and Long Weight into Short. 
Estimated and collected by G. H. Perkins and J. G. Stowe. ^1.50 
POWELL—CHANCE—HARRIS.—The Principles of Glass 
Making. 

By Harry J. Powell, B. A. Together with Treatises on Crown and 
Sheet Glass; by Henry Chance, M. A. And Plate Glass, by H. 
G. Harris, Asso. M. Inst. C. E. Illustrated i8mo. . ^1.50 

PROCTOR.—A Pocket-Book of Useful Tables and Formulae 
for Marine Engineers : 

By Frank Proctor. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 
Full-bound pocket-book form ...... $1.50 

REGNAULT.—Elements of Chemistry: 

By M. V. Regnault. Translated from the French by T. Forrest 
Betton, M. D., and edited, with Notes, by James C. Booth, Melter 
and Refiner U. S. Mint, and William L. Faber, Metallurgist and 
Mining Engineer. Illustrated by nearly 700 wood-engravings. Com¬ 
prising nearly 1,500 pages. In two volumes, 8vo., cloth . $6.00 

RICHARDS.—Aluminium : 

Its History, Occurrence, Properties, Metallurgy and Applications, 
including its Alloys. By Joseph W. Richards, A. C., Chemist and 
Practical Metallurgist, Member of the Deutsche Chemische Gesell- 
schaft. Illust. Third edition, enlarged and revised (1895) • ^6.00 
RIFFAULT, VERGNAUD, and TOUSSAINT.—A Practical 
Treatise on the Manufacture of Colors for Painting: 
Comprising the Origin, Definition, and Classification of Colors; the 
Treatment of the Raw Materials; the best Formulae and the Newest 
Processes for the Preparation of every description of Pigment, and 
the Necessary Apparatus and Directions for its Use; Dryers; the 
Testing. Application, and Qualities of Paints, etc., etc. By MM. 
Riffault, Vergnaud, and Toussaikt. Revised and Edited by M. 



HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


23 


F. Malepeyre. Translated from the French, by A. A. Fesquet, 
Chemist and Engineer. Illustrated by Eighty engravings. In one 
vol.. 8vo., 659 pages.^5.00 

ROPER.—A Catechism of High-Pressure, or Non-Condensing 
Steam-Engines : 

Including the Modelling, Constructing, and Management of Steann- 
Engines and Steam Boilers. With valuable illustrations. By Ste¬ 
phen Roper, Engineer. Sixteenth edition, revised and enlarged, 
i8mo., tucks, gilt edge ....... j^2.oo 

ROPER.—Engineer’s Handy-Book: 

Containing a full Explanation of the Steam-Engine Indicator, and its 
Use and Advantages to Engineers and Steam Users. With Formulae 
for Estimating the Power of all Classes of Steam-Engines; also, 
Facts, Figures, Questions, and Tables for Engineers who wish to 
qualify Aemselves for the United States Navy, the Revenue Service, 
the Mercantile Marine, or to take charge of the Better Class of Sta¬ 
tionary Steam-Engines. Sixth edition. i6mo., 690 pages, tucks, 

gilt edge. $3.50 

ROPER.—Hand-Book of Land and Marine Engines ; 

Including the Modelling, Construction, Running, and Management 
of Land and Marine Engines and Boilers. With illustrations. By 
Stephen Roper, Engineer. Sixth edition. i2mo.,tt'cks, gilt edge. 

^ 3-50 

ROPER.—Hand-Book of the Locomotive : 

Including the Construction of Engines and Boilers, and the Construc¬ 
tion, Management, and Running of Locomotives. By Stephen 
Roper. Eleventh edition. i8mo., tucks, gilt edge . ^2.50 

ROPER.—Hand-Book of Modern Steam Fire-Engines. 

With illustrations. By STEPHEN Roper, Engineer. Fourth edition, 

i2mo., tucks, gilt edge.^3-5® 

ROPER.—Questions and Answers for Engineers. 

This little book contains all the Questions that Engineers will be 
asked when undergoing an Examination for the purpose of procuring 
Licenses, and they are so plain that any Engineer or Fireman of or 
dinary intelligence may commit them to memory in a short time. By 
Stephen Roper, Engineer. Third edition . . . ^3 00 

ROPER.—Use and Abuse of the Steam Boiler. 

By Stephen Roper, Engineer. Eighth edition, with illustrations. 

i8mo., tucks, gilt edge. $2.00 

ROSE.—The Complete Practical Machinist: 

Embracing Lathe Work, Vise Work, Drills and Drilling, Taps and 
Dies, Hardening and Tempering, the Making and Use of Tools. 
Tool Grinding, Marking out Work, etc. By Joshua Rose. Illus¬ 
trated by 356 engravings. Thirteenth edition, thoroughly revised 

and in great part rewritten. In one vol,, i2mo., 439 pages ;^2.50 

ROSE.—Mechanical Drawing Self-Taught: 

Comprising Instructions in the Selection and Preparation of Drawing 
Instrumenis. Elementary Instruction in Practical Mechanical Draw- 





24 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


ing, together with Examples in Simple Geometry and Elementary 
Mechanism, including Screw Threads, Gear Wheels, Mechanical 
Motions, Engines and Boilers. By Joshua Rose, M. E. Illustrated 
by 330 engravings. 8vo , 313 pages .... ^4.00 

ROSE.—The Slide-Valve Practically Explained: 

Embracing simple and complete Practical Demonstrations of th 
operation of each element in a Slide-valve Movement, and illustrat¬ 
ing the effects of Variations in their Proportions by examples care¬ 
fully selected from the most recent and successful practice. By 
Joshua Rose, M. E. Illustrated by 35 engravings . ^i.oo 

ROSS.—The Blowpipe in Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology: 
Containing all Known Methods of Anhydrous Analysis, many Work¬ 
ing Examples, and Instructions for Making Apparatus. By Lieut.- 
COLONEL W. A. Ross, R. A., F. G. S. With 120 Illustrations. 
i2mo. .......... $ 2.00 

SHAW.—Civil Architecture : 

Being a Complete Theoretical and Practical System of Building, con¬ 
taining the F’undamental Principles of the Art. By Edward Shaw, 
Architect. To which is added a Treatise on Gothic Architecture, etc. 
By Thomas W. Sili.oway and George M. Harding, Architects. 
The whole illustrated by 102 quarto plates finely engraved on copper. 
Eleventh edition, qto. ....... ^6.00 

SHUNK.—A Practical Treatise on Railway Curves and Loca¬ 
tion, for Young Engineers. 

By W. F. Shunk, C. E. 121110. b ull bound pocket-book form ;^2.oo 

SLATER.—The Manual of Colors and Dye Wares. 

By J. W. Slater. i2mo.$3-oo 

SLOAN.—American Houses : 

A variety of Original Designs for Rural Buildings. Illustrated by 
26 colored engravings, vviili descriptive references. By Samuel 

Sloan, Architect. 8vo. .^i.oo 

SLOAN.—Homestead Architecture; 

Gjiitaiiiir.g Forty Designs for Villas, Cottages, and Farm-houses, with 
Ersays on Style, Construction, Landscape Gardening, Furniture, etc., 
etc. Illustrated by upwards of 200 engravings. By SAMUEL Sloan, 
Architect. 8vo. ..^300 

SLOANE.—Hoire Experiments m Science. 

By T. O’Conor SlC'VNE, E. M., A. M., Fh. D. Illustrated by 91 

engravings. i2mo..^i.oo 

SMEATON.—Builder’s PocktGCompanion : 

Containing the Elements of Building, Surveying, and Architecture; 
with Practical Rules and Instructions coT.r>ected with the subject. 
By A. C. Smeaton, Civil Engineer, etc. i2mo. . . 75 cts. 

SMITH.—A Manual of Political Economy. 

By E. Peshine Smith. A New Edition, to which is added a full 
Index. i2mo. . ..Si 21: 




HENRY CAREY KaIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


25 


SMITH.—Parks and Pleasure-Grounds: 

Or Practical Notes on Country Residences, Villas, Public Parks, and 
Gardens. By Charles H. J. Smith, Landscape Gardener and 
Garden Architect, etc., etc. i2ino. .... ^2.00 

SMITH.—The Dyer’s Instructor : 

Comprising Practical Inst*-uctions in the Art of Dyeing Silk, Cotton, 
Wool, and Worsted, and Woolen Goods; containing nearly 800 
Receipts. To which is added a Treatise on the Art of Padding; andj 
the Printing of Silk Warps, Skeins, and Handkerchiefs, and the 
various Mordants and Colors for the different styles of such work. 
By David Smith, Pattern Dyer. 121110. . . . $1.50 

SMYTH.—A Rudimentary Treatise on Coal and Coal-Mining. 
By Warrington W. Smyth, M. A., F. R. G., President R. G. S, 
of Cornwall. Fifth edition, revised and corrected. With numer¬ 
ous illustrations. l2nio. . . . . • . . j^i.75 

SNIVELY.—Tables for Systematic Qualitative Chemical AnaL 
ysis. 

By John H. Snively, Phr. D. 8vo. . . . , $1.00 

SNIVELY.—The Elements of Systematic Qualitative c hemical 
Analysis: 

A Hand-book for Beginners. By John H. Snively, Phr. D. i6mo. 

$ 2.00 

STOKES.—The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer’s Companion: 
Comprising the Art of Drawing, as applicable to Cabinet Work; 
Veneering, Inlaying, and Buhl-Work; the Art of Dyeing and Stain 
ing Wood, Ivory, Bone, Tortoise-Shell, etc. Directions for Lacker 
ing. Japanning, and Virnishing; to make French Polish, Glues 
Cements, and Compos'.:;^ ns; with numerous Receipts, useful to work 
men generally. Bv Stokes. Illustrated. A New Edition, with 
an Appendix upor ^ench Polishing, Staining, Imitating, Varnishing, 

etc., etc. i2mo.^1.25 

STRENGTH AND OTHER PROPERTIES OF METALS; 
Reports of Experiments on the Strength and other Propertie> of 
Metals for Cannon. With a Description of the Machines for TeMm^^ 
Metals, and of the Classification of Cannon in service. By Olhecr:! 
of the Ordnance Department, U. S. Army. By authority of the Secre 
tary of War. Illustrated by 25 large steel plates. Quarto . $5.00 

BULLIVAN.—Protection to Native Industry. 

By Sir Edward Sullivan, Baronet, author of “ Ten Chapters on 

Social Reforms.” 8vo.. $1.00 

SULZ.—A Treatise on Beverages : 

Or the Complete Practical Bottler. Full instructions for Laboratory 
Work, with Original Practical Recipes for all kinds of Carbor.aie-l 
Drinks, Mineral Waters, Flavorings, Extracts. Syrups, etc. liy 
Chas. Herman Sulz, Technical Chemist and Practical Bottler 
Illustrated by 428 Engravings. 8i8 pp. 8vo . . $ 10.00 





26 


HENRY CAREY BAlRu & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


SYME.—Outlines of an Industrial Science. 

By David Syme. i2mo. . . ... ;^2.oc 

TABLES SHOWING THE WEIGHT OF ROUND, 
SQUARE, AND FLAT BAR IRON, STEEL, ETC., 

By Measurement. Cloth ...... 6j 

TAYLOR.—Statistics of Coal: 

Including Mineral Bituminous Substances employed in Arts and 
Manufactures; with their Geographical, Geological, and Commercial 
Distribution and Amount of Production and Consumption on the 
American Continent. With Incidental Statistics of the Iron Manu¬ 
facture. By R. C. Taylor. Second edition, revised by S. S. Halde- 
MAN. Illustrated by five Maps and many wood engravings. 8vo., 

cloth.1^6.00 

TEMPLETON.—The Practical Examinator on Steam and thd 
Steam-Engine: 

With kistructive References relative thereto, arranged for the Use of 
Engineers, Students, and others. By William Templeton, En¬ 
gineer. i2mo. ........ ^i.oo 

THAUSING.—The Theory and Practice of the Preparation of 
Malt and the Fabrication of Beer: 

With especial reference to the Vienna Process of Brewing. Elab¬ 
orated from personal experience by Jui.ius E. Thausing, Professor 
at the School for Brewers, and at the Agricultural Institute, Modling, 
near Vienna. Translated from the German by WiLLiAM T. Brannt, 
Thoroughly and elaborately edited, with much American matter, and 
according to the latest and most Scientific Practice, by A. Schwarz 
and Dr. A. H. Bauer. Illustrated by 140 Engravings. 8vo., 81 s 

pages.$10.00 

THOMAS.—The Modern Practice of Photography: 

By R. W. Thomas, F. C. S. 8vo. .... 25 

THOMPSON.—Political Economy. With Especial Reference 
to the Industrial History of Nations : 

By Robert E. Thompson, M. A., Professor of Social Science in the 
University of Pennsylvania. i2mo. .... $1.50 

THOMSON.—Freight Charges Calculator: 

By Andrew Thomson, Freight Agent. 24mo. . . $1.25 

TURNER’S (THE) COMPANION: 

Containing Instructions in Concentric, Elliptic, and Eccentric Turn¬ 
ing; also various Plates of Chucks, Tools, and Instruments; and 
Directions for using the Eccentric Cutter, Drill, Vertical Cutter, and 
fhrcular Rest; with Patterns and Instructions for working them. 

i2mo. . .. 

TURNING: Specimens of Fancy Turning Executed on the 
Hand or Foot-Lathe: 

\yith Geometric, Oval, and Eccentric Chucks, and Elliptical Cutting 
Frame. By an Amateur. Illustrated by 30 exquisite Photographs. 

.. 





HEKRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


27 


VAILE.—Galvanized-Iron Cornice-Worker’s Manual: 

Containing Instructions in Laying out the Different Mitres, and 
Making Patterns for all kinds of Plain and Circular Work. Also, 
Tables of Weights, Areas and Circumferences of Circles, and other 
Matter calculated to Benefit the Trade. By Charles A. Vaile. 
Illustrated by twenty-one plates. 4to.^5.00 

VILLE.—On Artificial Manures : 

Their Chemical Selection and Scientific Application to Agriculture. 
A series of Lectures given at the Experimental Farm at Vincennes,, 
during 1867 and 1874-75. By M. Georges Ville. Translated and 
Edited by WILLIAM CROOKES, F. R. S. Illustrated by thirty-one 

engravings. 8vo., 450 pages.^6.00. 

VILLE.—The School of Chemkal Manures : 

Or, Elementary Principles in the Use of Fertilizing Agents. From 
the French of M. Geo. Ville, by A. A. Fesquet, Chemist and En¬ 
gineer. With Illustrations. i2mo. .... ;^i.25 

VOGDES.—The Architect’s and Builder’s Pocket-Companion 
and Price-Book : 

Consisting of a Shoit but Comprehensive Epitome of Decimals, Duo¬ 
decimals, Geometry and Mensuration; with Tables of United States 
Measures, Sizes, Weights, Strengths, etc., of Iron, Wood, Stone, 
Brick, Cement and Concretes, Quantities of Materials in given Sizes 
and Dimensions of Wood, Brick and Stone; and full and complete 
Bills of Prices for Carpenter’s Work and Paintiirg; also. Rules for 
Computing and Valuing Brick and Brick Work, Stone Work, Paint¬ 
ing, Plastering, with a Vocabulary of Technical Terms, etc. By 
Frank W. Vogdes, Architect, Indianapolis, Ind. Enlarged, revised,, 
and corrected. In one volume, 368 pages, full-bound, pocket-book 

form, gilt edges. $2.00 

Cloth . . .1.5a 

VAN CLEVE.—The English and American Mechanic: 
Comprising a Collection of Over Three Thousand Receipts, Rules, 
and Tables, designed for the Use of every Mechanic and Manufac¬ 
turer. By B. Frank Van Cleve. Illustrated. 500 pp. i2mo. $2.00 

WAHNSCHAFFE.—A Guide to the Scientific Examination 
of Soils : 

Comprising Select Methods of Mechanical and Chemical Analysis 
and Physical Investigation. Translated from the German of Dr. F* 
WAHNSCHAFFE. With additions by WILLIAM T. Brannt. Illus¬ 
trated by 25 engravings. i2mo. 177 pages , , . ;$i.50 

WALL.—Practical Graining: 

With Descriptions of Colors Employed and Tools Used. Illustrated 
by 47 Colored Plates, Representing the Various Woods Used k 
Interior Finishing. By William E. W.all. 8vo. . $2.^0 

WALTON.—Coal-Mining Described and Illustrated: 

By Thomas H. Walton, Mining Engineer. Illustrated by 24 large 
and elaborate Plates, after Actual Workings and Apparatus. ;» 55 .oc 






28 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


WARE.—The Sugar Beet. 

Including a History of the Beet Sugar Industry in Europe, Varietie? 
of the Sugar Beet, Examination, Soils, Tillage, Seeds and Sowing, 
Yield and Cost of Cultivation, Harvesting, Transportation, Conserva 
tion. Feeding Qualities of the Beet and of the Pulp, etc. By Lewii 
S. Ware, C. E., M. E. Illustrated by ninety engravings. 8vo. 

$^.QQ 

WARN.—The Sheet-Metal Worker’s Instructor: 

For Zinc, Sheet-Iron, Copper, and Tin-Plate Workers, etc. Contain¬ 
ing a selection of Geometrical Problems; also. Practical and Simple 
Rules for Describing the various Patterns required in the different 
branches of the above Trades. By Reuben H. Warn, Practical 
Tin-Plate Worker. To which is added an Appendix, containing 
Instructions for Boiler-Making, Mensuration of Surfaces and Solids, 
Rules for Calculating the Weights of different Figures of Iron and 
Steel, Tables of the Weights of Iron, Steel, etc. Illustrated by thirty- 
two Plates and thirty-seven Wood Engravings. 8vo. . ^3-00 

WARNER.—New Theorems, Tables, and Diagrams, for the 
Computation of Earth-work: 

Designed for the use of Engineers in Preliminary and Final Estimates 
of Students in Engineering, and of Contractors and other non-profes¬ 
sional Computers. In two parts, with an Appendix. Part I. A Prac¬ 
tical Treatise; Part II. A Theoretical Treatise, and the Appendix. 
Containing Notes to the Rules and Examples of Part I.; Explana¬ 
tions of the Construction of Scales, Tables, and Diagrams, and a 
Treatise upon Equivalent Square Bases and Equivalent Level Heights. 
The whole illustrated by numerous original engravings, comprising 
explanatory cuts for Definitions and Problems, Stereometric Scales 
and Diagrams, and a series of Lithographic Drawings from Models; 
Showing all the Combinations of Solid Forms which occur in Railroad 
Excavations and Embankments. By John Warner, A. M., Mining 
and Mechanical Engineer. Illustrated by 14 Plates. A new, revised 
and improved edition. 8vo. ...... $4.0C 

WATSON.—A Manual of the Hand-Lathe : 

Comprising Concise Directions for Working Metals of all kinds, 
Ivory, Bone and Precious Woods; Dyeing, Coloring, and French 
Polishing; Inlaying by Veneers, and various methods practised to 
produce Elaborate work with Dispatch, and at Small Expense. By 
Egbert P. Watson, Author of “ The Modern Practice of American 
Machinists and Engineers.” Illustrated by 78 engravings. ^1.50 

WATSON.—The Modern Practice of American Machinists and 
Engineers 

Including the Construction, Application, and Use of Drills, Lathe 
Tools, Cutters for Boring Cylinders, and Hollow-work generally, with 
the most Economical Speed for the same; the Results verified b) 
Actual Practice at the Lathe, the Vise, and on the Floor. Together 



^lENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


2C 


with WorkHhop Management, Economy of Manufacture, the Steam 
Engine, Boilers., Gears, Belling, etc., etc. By Egbert P. Watson. 
Illustrated by eighty-six engravings. i2mo. . . . ^^2.50 

WATSON.—The Theory arid Practice of the Art of Weaving 
by Hand and Power • 

V\ith Calculations and Tables for the Use of those connected with the 
Trade. By John Watson, Manufacturer and Practical Machine* 
Maker. Illustrated by large Drawings of the best Power Looms. 

. . . •. $6.00^ 

WATT.—The Art of Soap Making: 

A Practical Hand-book of the Manufactine of Hard and Soft Soaps, 
Toilet Soaps, etc., including many New Processes, and a Chapter on 
the Recovery of Glycerine from Waste Leys. By Alexander 
Watt. Ill. i2mo. $^,00 

WEATHERLY.—Treatise on the Art of Boiling Sugar, Crys< 
tailizing, Lozenge-making, Comfits, Gum Goods, 

And other processes for Confectionery, etc., in which are explained, 
in an easy and familiar manner, the various Methods of Manufactur¬ 
ing every Description of Raw and Refined Sugar Goods, as sold b) 

Confectioners and others. i2mo. 

WIGHT WICK.—Hints to Young Architects: 

Comprising Advice to those who, while yet at school, are destined 
to the Profession; to such as, having passed their pupilage, are about 
to travel; and to those who, having completed their education, are 
about to practise. Together with a Model Specification involving a 
great variety of instructive and suggestive matter. By Georgb 
W iGHTWiCK, Architect. A new edition, revised and considerably 
enlarged; comprising Treatises on the Principles of Construction 
and Design. By G. Huskisson Guillaume, Architect. Numerous 

illustrations. One vol. i2mo. ^2.00 

W ILL.—Tables of Qualitative Chemical Analysis. 

With an Introductory Chapter on the Course of Analysis. By Pro 
lessor Heinrich Will, of Giessen, Germany. Third American, 
from the eleventh German edition. Edited by Charles F. Himes 
P h. D,, Profe.ssor of Natural Science, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa 

8vo. . . •.-50 

WILLIAMS.—On Heal and Steam: 

Embracing New Views of Vaporization, Condensation, and Exp]^. 
sion. By Charles Wye Williams, A. 1 . C. E. Illustrated 8vo. 

$2.50 

WILSON.—A Treatise on Steam Boilers: 

Their Strength, Construction, and Economical Working. By RoBERt 

Wilson. Illustrated i2mo.$2.50 

WILSON.—First Principles of Political Economy: 

With Reference to Statesmanship and the Progress of Civilization. 
By Professor W. 1 ). Wilson, of the Cornell University. A new and 
revised edition. i2mo. • . . . . . . 




HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


30 


WOHLER.—A Hand-Book of Mineral Analysis: 

By F. Wohler, Professor of Ciiemistry in the University of Gottin¬ 
gen. Edited by Henry B. Nason, Professor of Chemistry in the 
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. Illustrated. 
i2mo. .......... $2.SO 

WORSSAM.—On Mechanical Saws: 

From the Transactions of the Society of Engineers, 1869. By S. W. 
WoRssAM, Jr. Illustrated by eighteen large plates. 8vo. 


RECENT ADDITIONS. 

BRANNT.—Varnishes, Lacquers, Printing Inks and Sealing- 
Waxes: 

Their Raw Ma'terials and their Manufacture, to which is added the 
Art of Varnishing and Lacquering, including the Preparation of Put¬ 
ties and of Stains for Wood, Ivory, Bone, Horn, and Leather. By 
William T. Brannt. Illustrated by 39 Engravings, 338 pages. 
i2mo. .......... $3-^^ 

BRANNT—The Practical Scourer and Garment Dyer: 

Comprising Dry or Chemical Cleaning; the Art of Removing Stains, 
Fine Washing; Bleaching and Dyeing of Straw Hats, Gloves, and 
Feathers of all kinds; Dyeing of Worn Clothes of all fabrics, in¬ 
cluding Mixed Goods, by One Dip; and the Manufacture of Soaps 
and Fluids for Cleansing Purposes. Edited by William T. Brannt, 
Editor of “The Techno-Chemical Receipt Book.” Illustrated. 

203 pages. i2mo..^2.00 

BRANNT.—Petroleum, 

Its History, Origin, Occurrence, Production, Physical and Chemical 
Constitution, Technology, Examination and Uses; Together with 
the Occurrenee and Uses of Natural Gas. Edited chiefly from the 
German of Prof. Hans Hoefer and Dr. Alexander Veith, by Wm. 
T. Brannt. Illustrated by 3 Plates and 284 Engravings. 743 pp. 
8vo. ^7.50 

BRANNT.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of Vine¬ 
gar and Acetates, Cider, and Fruit-Wines; 

Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables by Canning and Evaporation; 
Preparation of Fruit-Butters, Jellies, Marmalades, Catchups, Pickles, 
Mustards, etc. Edited from various sources. By William T. 
Brannt. Illustrated by 79 Engravings. 479 pp. 8vo. $S-O0 

BRANNT.—The Metal Worker’s Handy-Book of Receipts 
and Processes: 

Being a Collection of Chemical Formulas and Practical Manipula- 
tion.s for the working of all Metals ; including the Decoration and 
Beautifying of Articles Manufactured therefrom, as well as their 
Preservation. Edited from various sources. By William T. 
Brannt. Illustrated, i2mo. $2.50 








HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.'S CATALOGUE. 


51 


DEITE,—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture cf Per* 
fumery; 

Comprising directions for making all kinds of Perfumes, Sachet 
Powders, Fumigating Materials, Dentifrices, Cosmetics, etc., with a 
full account of the Volatile Oils, Balsams, Resins, and other Natural 
and Artificial Perfume-substances, including the Manufacture of 
Fruit Ethers, and tests of their purity. By Dr, C. Deite, assisted 
by L. Borchert, F. Eichbaum, E. Kugler, H. Toeffner, and 
other experts. From the German, by Wm. T. Brannt. 28 Engrav¬ 
ings. 358 pages. 8vo..I3.00 

EDWARDS.—American Marine Engineer, Theoretical and 
Practical: 

With Examples of the latest and most approved American Practice. 
By Emory Edwards. 85 illustrations. i2mo. . . $2.^0 

EDWARDS.—goo Examination Questions and Answers; 

For Engineers and Firemen (Land and Marine) who desire to ob¬ 
tain a United States Government or State License. Pocket-book 
form, gilt edge ........ ^1.50 

POSSELT.—Technology of Textile Design : 

Being a Practical Treatise on the Construction and Application of 
Weaves for all Textile Fabrics, with minute reference to the latest 
Inventions for Weaving. Containing also an Appendix, showing 
the Analysis and giving the Calculations necessary for the Manufac* 
tuie of the various Textile Fabrics. By £. A. PosSELT, Head 
Master Textile Department, Pennsylvania Museum and School of 
Industrial Art, Philadelphia, with over 1000 illustrations. 293 
pages. 4to. . $S'^ 

POSSELT.—The Jacquard Machine Analysed and Explained: 
With an Appendix on the Preparation of Jacquard Cards, and 
Practical Hints to Learners of Jacquard Designing. By E. A. 
PossELT. With 230 illustrations and numerous diagrams. 127 pp. 
4to.. iz-OQ 

POSSELT,—The Structure of Fibres, Yarns and Fabrics: 

Being a Practical Treatise for the Use of all Persons Employed in 
the Manufacture of Textile Fabrics, containing a Description of the 
Growth and Manipulation of Cotton, Wool, Worsted, Silk Flax, 

Jute, Ramie, China Grass and Hemp, and Dealing with all Manu¬ 
facturers’ Calculations for Every Class of Material, also Giving 
Minute Details for the Structure of all kinds of Textile Fabrics, ancl 
an Appendix of Arithmetic, specially adapted for Textile Purposes. 
By E. A, PossELT. Over 400 Illustrations, quarto. . ^5-00 

RICH.—Artistic Horse-Shoeing: 

A Practical and Scientific Treatise, giving Improved Methods of 
Shoeing, with Special Directions for Shaping Shoes to Cure Different 
Diseases of the Foot, and for the Correction of Faulty Action in 
Trotters. By George E. Rich. 62 Illustrations. 153 pages. 
..^i.oo 






32 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


RICHARDSON.—Practical Blacksmithing: 

A Collection of Articles Contributed at Different Times by Skilled 
Workmen to the columns of “ The Blacksmith and Wheelwright,” 
and Covering nearly the Whole Range of Blacksmithing, from the 
Simplest Joli of Work to some of the Most Complex Forgings, 


Compiled and Edited by M. T. Richardson. 

Vol. I. 210 Illustrations. 224 pages. i2mo. . . $1.00 

Vol. II. 230 Illustrations. 262 pages. i2mo. . . ^i.oo 

Vol. III. 390 Illustrations. 307 pages. i2mo. . , ;^i.oo 

Vol. IV. 226 Illustrations. 276 pages. i2mo. , . ;^i.oo 

RICHARDSON.—The Practical Horseshoer: 


Being a Collection of Articles on Horseshoeing in all its Branches 
which have appeared from time to time in the columns of “ 1 he 
Blacksmith and Wheelwright,” etc. Compiled and edited by M. T. 

Richardson. 174 illustrations.^i.oo 

ROPER.—Instructions and Suggestions for Engineers and 
Firemen : 

By Stephen Roper, Engineer. i8mo. Morocco . $2.00 

ROPER.—The Steam Boiler: Its Care and Management: 

By Stephen Roper, Engineer. i2mo., tuck, gilt edges. j^2.oo 
ROPER.—The Young Engineer’s Own Book: 

Containing an Explanation of the Principle and Theories on which 
the Steam Engine as a Prime Mover is Based. By Stephen Roper, 
Engineer. 160 illustrations, 363 pages. i8mo., tuck . ^3-00 

ROSE.—Modern Steam-Engines: 

An Elementary Treatise upon the Steam-Engine, written in Plain 
language; for Use in the Workshop as well as in the Drawing Office. 
Giving Full Explanations of the Construction of Modern Steam. 
Engines: Including Diagrams showing their Actual operation. To¬ 
gether with Complete but Simple Explanations of the operations of 
Various Kinds of Valves, Valve Motions, and Link Motions, etc., 
thereby Enabling the Ordinary Engineer to clearly Understand the 
Principles Involved in their Construction and Use, and to Plot out 
their Movements upon the Drawing Board. By Joshua Rose. M. E. 
Illustrated by 422 engravings. Revised. 358 pp. . . $6.00 

ROSE.—Steam Boilers: 

A Practical Treatise on Boiler Construction and Examination, for the 
Use of Practical Boiler Makers, Boiler Users, and Inspectors; and 
embracing in plain figures all the calculations necessary in Designing 
or Classifying Steam Boilers. By Joshua Rose, M. E. Illustrated 

by 73 engravings. 250 pages. 8vo. $2.^0 

SCHRIBER.—The Complete Carriage and Wagon Painter: 

A Concise Compendium of the Art of Painting Carriages, Wagons, 
and Sleighs, embracing Full Directions in all the Various Branches, 
including Lettering, Scrolling, Ornamenting, Striping, Varnishing, 
and Coloring, with numerous Recipes for Mixing Colors. 73 Illus¬ 
trations. 177 pp. i2mo.$1.00 







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